Broussard Women in Business Conference
Premier Sponsors
Date and Time
Thursday Apr 16, 2026
7:30 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Location
Broussard Event Center
406 E. Madison Bldg B
Broussard, LA 70518
Fees/Admission
$50 for Broussard Chamber Members
$55 for Nonmembers
Website
Contact Information
Katie Harris
(337) 837-6001
Send Email
Description
Strong Women. Healthy Futures.
Join us this April for our Women in Business Half-Day Conference, an energizing experience focused on the health of the mind and body. Because when women prioritize wellness, businesses and communities thrive.
Attendees will hear from an inspiring keynote speaker, engage in a meaningful panel discussion, and walk away with practical takeaways designed to help them lead, grow, and succeed — without sacrificing themselves in the process.
This event is created for every woman in every role, ready to invest in her well-being and her future.
From entrepreneurs to professionals and dreamers alike, don’t miss this chance to invest in YOURSELF, build friendships, and kick off the new year with clarity and confidence.
Seats are limited—reserve your spot today!
Disclaimer: If you need to cancel your spot at Women in Business, your payment will be credited toward another Broussard Chamber event of your choice.
Keynote Speaker
Melissa Bowen
Founder, The Authenticity Center & LPC-S
Melissa Bowen is a champion of courage, resilience, and wholehearted living. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Supervisor and Coach, she helps individuals transform their lives through authenticity, connection, and courage. As a Certified Daring Way Facilitator, trained in the research of Brené Brown, she specializes in building resilience to shame gremlins. Based in Lafayette, LA, Melissa runs a private counseling practice, The Authenticity Center, where she also supervises counselor interns, and has collaborated with organizations like The United Way, brandRusso, Chamber and non-profits for professional development. Melissa is a TEDx speaker, a mentor for the705 program, consults for The Hub Urban Ministries, and is on the Board for the non-profit, The Confidence Campaign. To learn more about her work and agency at www.TheAuthenticityCenter.com.
Panelist
Keesha Buteau
Founder, Beacon of Light
Keesha B. Buteau is the Founder of Beacon of Light, a Coaching, Consulting, and Public Speaking company based in Lafayette, Louisiana. With a career spanning over 20 years, Keesha has distinguished herself as a leader in the coaching and professional development space. As a member of the Positive Intelligence Coaching community and DISC Assessment practitioner, she empowers organizations and individuals to achieve sustainable growth and peak performance. Keesha is also a valued partner in Brand State U, a premier provider of training and development programs that enhance leadership capabilities across industries.
A graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Project Management, Keesha’s extensive experience includes executive coaching, consulting, and leadership training. Her work spans C-suite executives, small and large for-profit companies, and non-profit organizations, where she is known for fostering trust, collaboration, and meaningful personal and professional growth.
Keesha’s influence extends beyond her business endeavors. She was recognized as one of Acadiana’s Top 20 Under 40 Young Leaders in 2020, celebrated as a Steel Magnolia in Acadiana Profile Magazine in January 2024, and honored as a Woman Making a Difference in Acadiana Lifestyle Magazine for her impactful leadership. Keesha was also featured in the 4-part television segment Friday Light with Keesha, airing on KADN News 15, which focused on personal and professional development.
Driven by her purpose to inspire and uplift others, Keesha is a trusted source of encouragement and a beacon for those striving to define and achieve their own success.
Founders of Eviva Total Wellness
Dr. Abigail Hart is a double board-certified physician in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Obesity Medicine who combines clinical rigor with a deeply personalized, compassionate approach to care. She completed her undergraduate studies at Louisiana State University and her OB/GYN residency at LSU Baton Rouge, a high-volume, high-acuity training program. During residency, she earned the Minimally Invasive Surgery Award and was selected as Chief Resident, reflecting her advanced surgical skill, leadership, and clinical judgment. In this role, she mentored peers while managing complex obstetric and gynecologic cases.
Her early career in gynecologic oncology further refined her expertise in advanced pelvic surgery, multidisciplinary cancer care, and postoperative management. She later transitioned to establish a private OB/GYN practice in Acadiana, where she focused on building long-term, trust-based relationships with patients across all stages of life.
Following her personal experience with breast cancer, Dr. Hart expanded her clinical focus to include metabolic health, chronic stress, inflammation, and cellular function and co-founded Eviva Total Wellness. Today, she specializes in menopausal and metabolic care, particularly for women in perimenopause, using a blended evidence-based and holistic approach. Her care emphasizes personalized nutrition, strength training, stress regulation, and sustainable lifestyle interventions.
Dr. Hart’s work is rooted in identifying and addressing underlying drivers of disease rather than temporary symptom management. Her mission is to help women feel strong, informed, and fully empowered in their health.
Dr. Charise Fashho is a double board-certified OB/GYN (ABOG) and Obesity Medicine physician (ABOM), as well as a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner. She believes true health exists at the intersection of science, resilience, and real life.
She earned her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine and completed her OB/GYN residency at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, where she was honored with the Resident Teaching Award by her peers. Her career has included academic and hospital-based practice across multiple states, including work within large healthcare systems and academic centers. She also spent three years as a clinician for WeightWatchers, gaining valuable experience in evidence-based metabolic care and sustainable weight management.
Over time, witnessing burnout in both her patients and self. she shifted her focus toward root-cause health — including metabolic function, inflammation, hormonal balance, and midlife transitions. This evolution led her to co-found Eviva Total Wellness, where she blends surgical training, metabolic expertise, and menopause care into a personalized, longevity-focused approach.
As a physician, mother, and entrepreneur, Dr. Fashho understands the real-life demands women face. She integrates hormone therapy when appropriate, metabolic optimization, and lifestyle medicine to help women move from survival mode to sustainable strength. Her mission is simple: to equip women with the clarity, strategy, and confidence to feel strong and well at every stage of life.
Uyen Bich Chu, MD
Dr. Uyen Chu's path to precision medicine was paved by two decades in the operating room. After immigrating to the United States from Vietnam at the age of eight, she was inspired by the life of Saint Teresa of Calcutta to dedicate her life to serving others through medicine, a calling that led her to become a surgeon. She made history as the first female resident in her surgical training program at the University of Florida Health Science Center, where her skill and compassion earned her the title of "Best Overall Resident," the first surgical resident in the program's history to receive the honor. After performing over 1,000 bariatric procedures, Dr. Chu made a pivotal decision to focus her surgical expertise on a new path: precision and preventative medicine. She founded Chu Precision Health Center in Lafayette, Louisiana, where she dives deep into the root causes of patient symptoms with the goal of prevention over procedures. Specializing in weight management, hormone optimization, brain health and Alzheimer's risk assessment, and performance medicine, Dr. Chu builds personalized plans for lasting health and vitality. Board certified in General Surgery and Bariatric Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Chu brings that same surgical-level precision to every patient's path toward lasting health.
Calvary D. Sampson, LPC, NCC
Calvary De'Rosa Sampson, LPC, NCC, is a Teen and Adult Therapist and the proud founder of Calvary De'Rosa Counseling and Consulting. Holding credentials as a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor in Louisiana and Texas, Calvary brings a wealth of expertise to the field of mental health. She is also the author of "The College Transition Journal," a valuable resource for students navigating the transition to college life.
With additional certifications as a Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), Calvary is dedicated to providing specialized care, and addressing a broad spectrum of mental health concerns.
Within Calvary De'Rosa Counseling and Consulting, Calvary's mission is clear—to empower individuals to navigate and thrive through life's transitions. Specializing in anxiety, life transitions, college mental health, and supporting clients through significant life phases, Calvary has created a safe space for understanding and healing.
Beyond her therapeutic role, Calvary is deeply committed to mental health advocacy. Actively collaborating with organizations and communities, she works towards destigmatization and increased access to mental health resources.
Specializing in guiding teens and millennials through self-exploration, recognizing their self-worth, and presenting authentically, Calvary leverages modern therapy approaches to connect with her demographic and support mental health awareness.
As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, The Louisiana Counseling Association, and an Advisory Board Member for the Kimberly K. Gallow Foundation, Calvary is dedicated to creating a space of healing and authenticity.
In her practice, Calvary offers integrative, evidence-based approaches tailored to individual needs, providing a professional, safe, and non-judgmental space for both teen and adult clients. With a passion for making a positive impact on the lives of her clients and the broader community.
