MEET MAKESHA

Makesha Judson is a highly sought-after thought leader specializing in corporate and community engagement, government relations, and strategic advisement. She has worked for companies such as: Shell Chemical Company, Essence Festival Productions and Essence Ventures, Louisiana Economic Development, and Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services to name a few. Makesha has a proven track record for building strong relationships and developing comprehensive strategic plans and solutions for issues involving securing government funding, engaging community and public support, and corporate growth strategy. 

Her notable achievements consist of passing legislation to support the growth & sustainability of Louisiana’s Film Industry, strengthening Louisiana’s Major Events Incentive Fund: which supports events such as: Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Essence Festival of Culture, Bayou Classic and Zurich Classic.  Makesha currently serves as the Lead of Government Relations and Public Affairs for a global minerals company, Vale S.A., with headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She serves on a team managing projects in the Middle East (Oman), South America (Brazil), and the United States. She was highly recruited to lead government relations and community engagement for a nearly half a billion-dollar project to expand the company’s first operations into the United States, establishing their headquarters in New Orleans, Louisiana.

As an advocate for inclusion and higher education, Makesha has partnered with higher education institutions and corporations assisting in their social investment initiatives and community engagement endeavors. Recently, Makesha assisted Shell Chemical Company in their $5-million-dollar contribution to Southern University and A&M College in support of the College of Engineering, College of Business, and Career Services programs.

Makesha has been recognized as a Top “40 Under 40” Young Professional by the Baton Rouge Business Report and a Top “40 Under 40” Outstanding Alumni by Southern University’s National Alumni Federation, as well as, being featured as a “Power Alumni” by HBCU Times Magazine. Makesha was recently featured at Essence Festival of Culture where she guided conversations of nationally recognized entrepreneurs, CEOs, Women Legislators, and small business leaders to discuss increasing economic opportunities and access to capital for disadvantaged and minority business owners. 

Makesha Judson serves on the Board of Directors for the Urban League of Louisiana and the River Parishes Community College Foundation Board. She also serves as a member of the Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) NextGen Council and the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Board. A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Makesha is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. through the Baton Rouge Delta Alumnae Chapter. She is also a member and Louisiana Chapter President of the National Professional Lobbyist Association. 

Makesha is an alumna of Southern University and A&M College where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Master’s Degree in Public Administration.  She continued her education having received a second Master’s from Louisiana State University (LSU) in Leadership and Human Resource Development with a concentration in Workforce Development. Makesha can be found on Facebook @makeshajudson LinkedIn @makeshajudson and Instagram at @makeshaljudson.