Join New Louisiana Foundation on October 1 for Champions of Change, an evening bringing together some of Louisiana’s most consequential public leaders with national voices fighting for faith, freedom, and accountable government. This year’s gathering at City Club at River Ranch will feature U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet K. Dhillon, Liberty Counsel Action President John Stemberger, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, and Secretary of State Nancy Landry, along with additional special guests to be announced.

Champions of Change brings together business leaders, elected officials, community advocates, and engaged citizens from across Louisiana for an evening of fellowship, meaningful conversation, and recognition of those willing to lead when leadership matters.

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet K. Dhillon

When government officials declared houses of worship “nonessential,” Harmeet K. Dhillon took the fight all the way to the United States Supreme Court. The civil-liberties organization she founded helped secure three successful Supreme Court rulings against COVID-era restrictions on religious worship—in the opening months of 2021 alone.

And she did not stop there. Dhillon challenged the University of California, Berkeley over free speech, confronted some of the world’s largest technology companies in civil-rights disputes, and pursued an Antifa organization after the assault of a conservative journalist. Today, President Donald Trump has placed her at the helm of the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice—one of the most consequential legal posts in the federal government.

That fighting spirit has deep roots. Born in Chandigarh, India, Dhillon lived in London and the Bronx before her family settled in rural North Carolina. She finished high school at just 16, became editor-in-chief of The Dartmouth Review, served on the editorial board of the Virginia Law Review, and clerked for a federal appellate judge before building her own national law practice.

Along the way, she became California’s RNC national committeewoman, chaired the Republican National Lawyers Association, co-chaired Lawyers for Trump, and mounted a national campaign for RNC chair. She now oversees federal civil-rights enforcement across 12 specialized sections, with responsibilities spanning religious liberty, voting, education, disability rights, housing, and criminal enforcement.

Harmeet Dhillon has spent her career walking into rooms where conservative voices were outnumbered—and refusing to whisper. Now she brings that courage, intellect, and constitutional clarity to the defense of civil rights for every American.

John Stemberger — Liberty Counsel Action

Most national speakers arrive in Louisiana to talk about battles being fought somewhere else. John Stemberger arrives with one already underway in Baton Rouge. The legal organization where he serves as senior counsel is representing a local pastor who lost his job at a taxpayer-funded public library for reluctance to use pronouns that violated his conscience. While Louisiana law now protects school employees facing that choice, public-library employees remain outside its express protection.

For Stemberger, this is familiar ground. As president of Liberty Counsel Action, he has spent more than three decades working where conviction becomes action—shaping public policy, defending religious liberty, and building institutions that carry those principles into the public square. An accomplished Orlando attorney, he has advised major campaigns, helped evaluate judicial candidates, and served on Florida’s rare Constitution Revision Commission, which convenes only once every 20 years.

But his legacy is measured in more than courtrooms and campaigns. An Eagle Scout and former Scoutmaster, Stemberger was a primary founder of Trail Life USA, a Christian scouting movement now serving tens of thousands of boys through troops across all 50 states. He also authored Legacy of Life, honoring 50 men and women who helped build America’s modern pro-life movement.

John Stemberger is not simply a commentator on the culture. He is a movement builder, mentor, and man of action—equipping others to defend faith, family, and freedom when those convictions come at a cost.

Attorney General Liz Murrill

Before Louisiana ever called Liz Murrill its attorney general, the state sent her to the United States Supreme Court—five times. She became the lawyer Louisiana trusted when federal power, constitutional rights, and the future of the state’s most consequential policies were on the line.

Murrill did not merely step into that role—she helped define it as Louisiana’s inaugural solicitor general. She went on to serve as lead counsel in more than 35 challenges to federal action, building a national reputation as a formidable appellate advocate. Her preparation included service as a U.S. Supreme Court Judicial Fellow, two judicial clerkships, and 12 years teaching appellate advocacy and legal writing at LSU.

In 2024, she made history again as Louisiana’s first female attorney general. Her office later secured the first federal injunction against the Biden administration’s 2024 Title IX rule, helping preserve protections for women and girls before the rule was ultimately vacated nationwide.

Yet this national legal figure remains unmistakably ours. An eighth-generation Louisianian raised in Lafayette, Murrill is a Lafayette High graduate, an LSU-trained journalist and lawyer, a wife, and the mother of four sons. She brings to public service the confidence to stand, the preparation to prevail, and the Louisiana resolve to keep fighting when the pressure is greatest.

Secretary of State Nancy Landry

Every election eventually comes down to one question: Can citizens trust the result? Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry has spent years doing the careful, largely unseen work required to make the answer yes. Under Landry’s leadership, Louisiana has risen from ninth to fourth in the nation on The Heritage Foundation’s Election Integrity Scorecard.

Landry did not arrive at the state’s elections office armed only with talking points. Before becoming Louisiana’s 45th secretary of state, she spent four years as first assistant secretary and earned professional certification in elections administration. She understands not only election law, but the machines, safeguards, audits, and thousands of human decisions required to protect the voice of every lawful voter.

Under her leadership, Louisiana has advanced plans to replace decades-old voting equipment with a fully auditable system producing a paper record for every vote. That effort reflects the hallmark of Landry’s career: serious preparation applied to responsibilities that directly affect people’s lives.

A Lafayette native and daughter of a Navy veteran, Landry earned degrees from LSU and the LSU Law Center, practiced family law, and created a reduced-cost legal-service system for families in crisis. She then represented House District 31 for 11 years, chaired the House Education Committee, and authored the 2018 law that strengthened Louisiana’s criminal hazing protections.

Today, a daughter of Lafayette safeguards the voice of voters across all 64 parishes—bringing competence without theatrics, vigilance without excuses, and an abiding belief that public trust must be earned in every election.

Sponsorship & Tables

Put your organization in the room with Louisiana’s elected officials, business leaders, policy advocates, and engaged citizens. Champions of Change sponsorships provide reserved seating for your guests along with recognition throughout the event. Individual tickets are also available for those who want to join us for the evening.

Space is limited, and reservations are required.

Join Us October 1

Join us Thursday, October 1, at City Club at River Ranch in Lafayette for an evening of good company, meaningful conversation, and a celebration of the people willing to stand up and lead when it matters.

The evening will begin with a reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by a seated dinner and program featuring Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, Liberty Council Action’s John Stemberger, Attorney General Liz Murrill, Secretary of State Nancy Landry, and additional special guests to be announced.

Whether you join us with friends, reserve a table for your organization, or come to spend an evening among people who care deeply about Louisiana’s future, we hope you’ll be part of Champions of Change 2026.

Thursday, October 1, 2026
Reception begins at 6:00 p.m.
City Club at River Ranch
Lafayette, Louisiana

For questions or assistance with reservations, contact:

Phone: 337-873-1221
Email: grace@newlouisiana.org

Presenting Sponsor

Champions of Change 2026 Presented By…

Our premier sponsorship opportunity provides the highest level of recognition throughout the evening, including prominent placement in event promotion, signage and program materials, recognition during the program, and a Champion-level reserved table with VIP reception access.

One presenting sponsorship available.

Contact Grace at 337-873-1221 or grace@newlouisiana.org for details.