Dr. Markey W. Pierre, LADB Board Member
“To see the genuine heart of the volunteers that give back to the profession has been very rewarding.”
From a quick glance at Dr. Markey W. Pierre’s resume, two things are readily apparent: she is the consummate professional and she deeply cares about people. Professionally, Dr. Pierre has championed the interests of her clients for the last fourteen years as the President and Managing Partner of Southern Strategy Group of North Louisiana, a full-service consulting firm based in Shreveport, Louisiana. Her clients range from Fortune 500 corporations, to municipal entities, to professional associations. She is also a registered lobbyist, working with the Louisiana legislature on business, education, health care, and leadership development issues which affect her community.
Additionally, Dr. Pierre champions the interests of fellow Louisianans through her extensive volunteer work. Volunteerism is second nature to her, and she describes it as being “embedded in her DNA.” As a public member of the Administrative Committee of the Disciplinary Board, Dr. Pierre notes she volunteered to serve because she wanted to make a difference. Serving on the Board has given her the opportunity to become an integral part of the agency and participate in its administration. Further, she has had the opportunity to sincerely evaluate and understand complaints brought against attorneys. She has seen first-hand how a significant number of volunteers are needed in order for the system to run efficiently and how important the perspectives of public members are to the system. She believes these members provide unique insight into the managerial and administrative roles which lawyers must master in order to have a successful practice and avoid disciplinary violations. Dr. Pierre further observes “to see the genuine heart of the volunteers that give back to the profession is very rewarding.” She values having the chance to further the public good and have an impact on the way the system operates.
Dr. Pierre currently serves on the boards of the Louisiana State Museum, Bossier Parish Community College Foundation, Pearls for Humanity, Mission Project Foundation, and the Association for Louisiana Lobbyists. Additionally, she serves as the Louisiana State Political Coordinator for the South Central Region for her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. In this capacity, she coordinates efforts across Louisiana to equip over 4,000 sorority members with the necessary tools to promote legislation which aligns with the goals and missions of the sorority. Dr. Pierre notes she has been passionate about volunteering for as long as she can remember, but can’t pinpoint her first volunteer experience, explaining “it’s kind of like walking, I know I had to start somewhere, but it was so long ago, I don’t remember the first steps I took!”
For her decades of community service, Dr. Pierre was awarded the prestigious Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Woman Award by local Shreveport-Bossier businesses. She has also received the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Business Woman of the Year Award from the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce. She was the first African American woman to chair the Greater Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and the Independence Bowl in Shreveport. She has collaborated on two books, WIN from the Beginning and Funding Public Schools in the United States and Indian Country. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and funds two scholarships for the organization.
In her free time, Dr. Pierre enjoys reading and spending time with her beautiful daughter, Chelsea, and her extended family. She acknowledges she has an amazing family--the Winfields --who support her in all of her endeavors. “Anytime I need help, I call them, and they are there!” The Board appreciates the same response it receives from Dr. Pierre when called upon to help with its projects or activities—always ready and willing to assist for the good of the legal profession and the public it serves.
Dr. Pierre received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Louisiana Tech, a Master of Business Administration degree from Nova Southeastern University, and a Doctor of Business Administration degree from Walden University.