PRESENTED BY
On March 22nd, 2025 New Orleans hosted the 12th edition of the Love Your City™ Awards, celebrating local impactful leaders building a more equitable and sustainable economy.
69
ACTIVE ORGANIZATIONS
IN THE 2024 WORK FOR THE FUTURE CAMPAIGN
13
IMPACT AWARDS GIVEN
TO LOCAL IMPACT LEADERS!
CAMPAIGN IMPACT NUMBERS
6
LOCAL ARTISTS HIRED
$4,500 IN LOCAL ARTIST PAYMENTS
27
FINALIST ORGANIZATIONS
FOR THE 12TH ANNUAL LOVE YOUR CITY AWARDS
$31,203
IN LOCAL SPENDING
21% SUSTAINABLE
50% WOMEN-OWNED
65% MINORITY-OWNED
98% LOCAL VENDORS
152
IMPACT BADGES
EARNED IN 2024
812
ACTIONS TAKEN
"Being awarded for the work we do in green infrastructure and water management feels so invigorating and motivating! To receive the People's Choice Award was a great feeling, knowing that people are as passionate about building a resilient New Orleans as we are. It is an honor to be recognized for that work, in a room of so many leaders and changemakers that I have been inspired by and have taught me so much. I am so happy to have a platform to teach others about green infrastructure and making a positive impact on our urban landscape."
-John Coyle, Founder of Urbanscapes
Presented by LifeCity
MEET THIS YEAR’S MOST IMPACTFUL LEADERS IN NEW ORLEANS
2024 Built Environment Award Winner
Common Ground Relief
Christina Lehew, Executive Director, Common Ground Relief
Common Ground Relief is a grassroots organization dedicated to community and environmental resilience. Focused on experiential learning, CGR engages in environmental outreach and education, wetlands restoration, and operates a food pantry in partnership with lowernine.org from its headquarters in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. With over two decades of impact, Common Ground Relief currently facilitates more than nine programs along the Louisiana coast. Their offerings include the Anita Roddick Advocacy Center — a community meeting space providing commuter services, networking resources, and free printing. They also manage the Native Plant Nursery and Cabane Coypu Learning Facility, designed for collaboration, featuring picnic tables, a public water fountain, and mulched, ground-level paths for accessibility. This educational green space supports 15,000 native plants used in restoration efforts across the region. Read more about their impact here.
2024 Energy Award Winner
Hilton Riverside Hotel
(left to right) Guest of Hilton Riverside Hotel; Marvin Dixon and Vivian Jordan, Hilton Riverside Hotel; Kevin Fitzwilliam, Energy Smart
The Hilton Riverside Hotel, located in the heart of New Orleans, leads the hospitality industry in sustainable practices. As the Energy Award winner, Hilton Riverside trains and empowers team members on energy efficiency and raises guest awareness of its Travel with Purpose 2030 commitments. They are dedicated to reducing Scope 1 and 2 carbon intensity from Hilton-managed hotels and Scope 3 carbon intensity from franchises. As an Energy Smart hotel, they’ve implemented energy-efficient lighting and air conditioning systems, and use LightStay, Hilton's ESG performance management system, to track and report environmental impact across properties. Read more about their impact here.
2024 Equity & Transportation Award Winner
Hotel Peter & Paul
Hotel Peter and Paul Team: Nathalie Jordi, Founder & Owner of Hotel Peter and Paul; Dixie Krauss, General Manager; Tiffannie Sims, Human Resources Director
Hotel Peter & Paul, housed in a restored historic church, schoolhouse, rectory, and convent in the Faubourg Marigny, is recognized for their commitment to equity and sustainability. Read more about their impact here.
2024 Zero Waste & Best in Show Award Winner
The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
(left to right) Darrah Fox Bach and Fiona Lightbody, The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana; Dan Favre, The Greater New Orleans Foundation
The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) is a leading nonprofit driving large-scale environmental restoration. Read more about their impact here.
2024 Health Award Winner
Online Optimism
Sara Bandurian, Operations Supervisor, Online Optimism
Online Optimism, a creative digital marketing and advertising agency, prioritizes workplace well-being alongside community impact. Read more about their impact here.
2024 Education & Youth Pick Award Winner
NOLA Artist Incubator
(left to right) Jesse and Lissie Stewart Founder & Executive Director, Nola Artist Incubator; Gabrielle Tolliver, Young Artist Movement and Guest.
NOLA Artist Incubator provides education, community outreach, and an Artist-in-Residence Program. They are committed to building a creative network of makers for a more sustainable New Orleans. From zero waste and composting efforts to community engagement initiatives, NOLA Artist Incubator is a sustainability leader in the city. Their educational programs include an Artist-in-Residence initiative, internship opportunities in partnership with Loyola University, and collaborations with the New Orleans Youth Alliance to offer professional development for young creatives. The organization also prioritizes family-friendly policies, with flexible hours to accommodate school pick-ups and after-school care, and offers hands-on educational training in urban agriculture, composting, and vegetable growing through their community garden. Read more about their impact here.
2024 Local Culture Award Winner
Fund 17
Veranisha Thompson, Executive Director, Fund17; Fund 17 Team
Fund 17 has evolved from addressing capital access disparities for local entrepreneurs to advancing economic justice through community-informed programming. Their offerings include one-on-one advising, technical assistance, cohort-based learning, and a radically affordable incubator and meeting space at Parish Hall. Read more about their impact here.
2024 Local Food Access Award Winner
Barcelo Gardens
(left to right) Brynn Comeaux, Communications Manager, New Orleans Food Policy Action Council; Ashley Sanchez, Owner, Barcelo Gardens; Michael Richard, Farms Director, Recirculating Farms
Barcelo Gardens is a family-owned teaching garden located in the Upper 9th Ward of New Orleans. Read more about their impact here.
2024 Water Management & People’s Choice Award Winner
Urbanscapes
John Coyle, Founder of Urbanscapes; Brittany Nicholas, Founder of What’s Poppin NOLA (@whatspoppinnola)
Urbanscapes is redefining sustainable design in New Orleans through innovative water management and community engagement. Read more about their impact here.