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Leslie Jacobs

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leslie Rosenthal Jacobs (born 1959, New Orleans, Louisiana) is a charter school advocate, business executive, and philanthropist.[1] She was a business partner with an elementary school, served as an elected member of the Orleans Parish School Board, and then, as a member of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for twelve years, first appointed by Governor Foster (R) and then re-appointed by Governor Blanco (D).[2] Jacobs pushed for reform of Louisiana Public Schools in the 1990s and 2000s.[3] Her work to implement charter schools has been controversial.[1][4]

Business

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Jacobs was born and raised in New Orleans, where she attended Isidore Newman School, a private school, where she also sent her own children to school.[5] She began work at her family's independent insurance agency in 1981 after graduating from Cornell University. In 2000, Hibernia National Bank purchased the agency, and Jacobs became President of the merged Hibernia Rosenthal Agency.[6] She remained president until 2002. In 2006, Hibernia, the largest deposit holder in Southeast Louisiana, was purchased by Capital One and re-branded under the Capital One banner.[7] She went on to become a co-founder of Strategic Comp, a workers compensation insurance company that sold to Great American in 2008.[8] Jacobs served as past chair of GNO, Inc., a non-profit economic development corporation dedicated to cultivating the Greater New Orleans area's economy. She was CEO and co-founder of the New Orleans Startup Fund, a nonprofit venture fund focused on business creation and innovation in the 10-parish Greater New Orleans region.

Orleans Parish School Board

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In 1992, Jacobs ran for a position on the Orleans Parish School Board from District 6, a majority African-American district comprising much of southwestern Orleans Parish, including parts of Dixon, Uptown, Mid-City and the Black Pearl. She ran in an open primary and placed first, taking 29% of the vote, or about 3,575 votes. In the run-off election, Jacobs received 13,909 votes and defeated fellow Democrat Henry Julien 59% to 41%. She served on the board until 1996, and in her final year, served as board vice-president.[9]

Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

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Jacobs was appointed in 1996 to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and served as a gubernatorial appointee until 2008, serving both Republican Governor Mike Foster[2] and Democratic Governor Kathleen Blanco.[10] Jacobs advocated for and implemented reform of Louisiana's Public Schools throughout the 1990s and 2000s, including developing and implementing a school accountability system.[11] According to a 2009 Education Watch Report released by the Education Trust, Louisiana was the only state in which the gap between African American and white students has narrowed significantly in both 4th grade reading and 8th grade math.[12]

As part of Louisiana's school accountability system, Jacobs helped create the Recovery School District (RSD) in 2003. The RSD is administered by the Department of Education, and is designed to take over academically failing schools.[13]

Mayoral campaign

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Jacobs ran for Mayor in the 2010 New Orleans mayoral election. Her platform included: safe streets, better schools and honorable government.[14] Jacobs decided to exit the race when Mitch Landrieu made entered the field.[15]

Personal life

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Jacobs is married to Scott Jacobs. She has two daughters and four grandchildren. Jacobs has lived in Denver since 2018.[16][17][18]

Awards

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References

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  1. 1 2 Fazio, Marie (2025-10-12). "Leslie Jacobs was a polarizing power broker in New Orleans education. Now she's back". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2026-07-07.
  2. 1 2 "Progress made in Louisiana School Accountability". Times Picayune, Michelle Krupa. September 9, 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  3. ↑ Vanacore, Andrew (4 November 2011). "New Orleans education figure wins spot among 'World's Most Powerful Educators'". NOLA.com. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  4. ↑ Rose, Chris (2008-12-01). "Leslie Jacobs". New Orleans Magazine. Retrieved 2026-07-07.
  5. ↑ Learning Matters: REBIRTH: New Orleans - Extended Interview with Leslie Jacobs (Web Exclusive). 2013-04-30. Retrieved 2026-07-07 – via YouTube.
  6. ↑ "Rosenthal Agency Expands". Insurance Journal. April 23, 2003. Retrieved 2009-10-26.
  7. ↑ O'Hara, Terence (March 7, 2005). "Capital One to Buy New Orleans Bank". Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  8. ↑ "Strategic Comp". www.neworleanschamber.org. New Orleans Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  9. ↑ "Louisiana Election Data, 1992". Louisiana Secretary of State. November 7, 1992. Archived from the original on October 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  10. ↑ Robelen, Erik W. (2005-11-09). "Louisiana Eyes Plan To Let State Control New Orleans Schools". Education Week. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "Louisiana Schools Best in Nation for Accountability". Louisiana Department of Education. January 17, 2004. Archived from the original on June 19, 2007. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  12. ↑ "Education Watch State Report: Louisiana 2009" (PDF). Education Trust. April 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  13. ↑ Kingsland, Neerav; Lightbourn, George (20 June 2013). "The Recovery School District Model". issuu.com: 8–9. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  14. ↑ "Leslie Jacobs Joins Race For Mayor". WDSU. 18 November 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  15. ↑ Donze, Frank (17 December 2009). "Leslie Jacobs drops out of New Orleans mayor's race". NOLA.com. Times-Picayune. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  16. ↑ "Search for Louisiana Business Filings". Coraweb.sos.la.gov. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  17. ↑ "CANDIDATE'S REPORT" (PDF). Eap.ethics.la.gov. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
  18. ↑ "National Council of Jewish Women : Winter 2025" (PDF). Ncjwneworleans.org. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
  19. ↑ "Gambit Magazine". Gambit New Orleans. 3 January 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  20. ↑ Pope, John (10 May 2018). "Forbes called her one of the 7 most powerful educators on the planet. Can you name her?". NOLA.com. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  21. ↑ "Newman Distinguished Alumna 2013: Leslie Rosenthal Jacobs '77". Isidore Newman School. 21 March 2013.
  22. ↑ "Role Model Award". YLC. Archived from the original on 2011-10-09. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  23. ↑ "JA Business Hall of Fame". Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  24. ↑ "Women of the Year 2007" (PDF). New Orleans CityBusiness: 9. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
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