Leslie Jacobs
Encyclopedia
Leslie Rosenthal Jacobs is an award-winning education reform advocate, business executive and philanthropist. Born in New Orleans, she built her family's small, independent insurance agency into one of the largest throughout the South, before merging the Rosenthal Agency with Hibernia National Bank
(now Capital One). For the last 20 years, she has been a passionate voice for education reform, serving initially 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). She is also the founder of “Educate Now!
”, a non-profit dedicated to continuing the broad, post-Katrina reforms of New Orleans public schools she helped institute and execute as a member of the BESE.
. Under her leadership, the company became one of the top 100 insurance brokers in the United States. In 2000, Hibernia National Bank
purchased the agency and Ms. Jacobs became President of the merged Hibernia Rosenthal Agency. 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.
, 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, Ms. 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.
As part of Louisiana's school accountability system, Ms Jacobs was instrumental in creating the Recovery School District
(RSD.) The RSD is administered by the Department of Education and is designed to take over academically failing schools.
Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Orleans Parish Schools were the worst performing in the state. 63% of the Parish's schools were failing. After Hurricane Katrina, Ms. Jacobs worked with Governor Blanco and State Superintendent Cecil Picard to place most of the Orleans public schools into the Recovery School District and to recruit high quality charter operators, like the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), to come to New Orleans and be part of the rebuilding. Today, New Orleans has the largest percentage of public school students in charter schools in the nation (57%). Student performance has improved significantly, with Orleans being one of the top five parishes in the state in growth in student achievement since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. On a State Department of Education performance measure, New Orleans has gained 13.7 points, growing from 56.9 to 70.6, while during the same time, the state grew only 3.6 points, from 87.4 to 91.0. President Barack Obama
has praised the rejuvenation of Orleans Parish schools as a model for the rest of the country, stating: "And because a lot of your public schools opened themselves up to new ideas and innovative reforms, we’re actually seeing an improvement in overall achievement that is making the city a model for reform nationwide."
She has also served on other boards, including
, a non-profit committed to maintaining and expanding reforms of Orleans Parish Schools instituted after Hurricane Katrina and during Ms. Jacobs tenure on BESE. Educate Now continues to press for “effective and sustainable reform” of schools in Orleans Parish.
Given annually to a state board of education member in recognition of outstanding service to public education.
Given by governors to their states' most valuable civil servants and private citizens, this award emphasizes the important contributions private citizens make to state government.
When nominating Ms. Jacobs for this award, Governor Foster stated, "The conversation about education in Louisiana is no longer about who to blame for our failures, but about making sure each child learns and each school succeeds and recognizing their improvement. Leslie Jacobs changed that conversation; Leslie Jacobs changed the way public education in Louisiana works. I am grateful for her service and proud to nominate her for this honor."
One of 24 delegates selected to represent the United States in a conference with 24 British leaders to develop mutual understanding between future leaders of both nations.
Recognizes the top 100 women executives in the insurance industry.
Presented for an outstanding contribution toward implementing opportunities for at-risk urban youth in the New Orleans area.
Awarded to 25 New Orleanians for making a difference in New Orleans and for providing an outstanding example for the young talent that the YLC represents.
Recognized for entrepreneurial spirit and excellence in business leadership
Awarded for significant contribution through philanthropic programming to the betterment of the quality of life in New Orleans and in Louisiana
Hibernia National Bank
Hibernia National Bank, founded in 1870, was a personal banking and commercial lending institution headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was the largest and oldest bank headquartered in the state, and also had locations in Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas.-History:Founded by Irish immigrants...
(now Capital One). For the last 20 years, she has been a passionate voice for education reform, serving initially as an elected member of the Orleans Parish School Board and then as a member of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education was created during the 1973 Louisiana Constitutional Convention, called by then Governor Edwin W. Edwards...
(BESE). She is also the founder of “Educate Now!
Educate Now
Educate Now is a non-profit education reform organization founded in 2008 and based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Its founder is education reform advocate and former State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education member Leslie Jacobs. Ms...
”, a non-profit dedicated to continuing the broad, post-Katrina reforms of New Orleans public schools she helped institute and execute as a member of the BESE.
Personal life
Ms. Jacobs is married to Scott Jacobs, an engineer. She is the mother to two adult daughters.The Rosenthal Agency
Ms. Jacobs began work at her family's independent insurance agency in 1981 after graduating from Cornell UniversityCornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
. Under her leadership, the company became one of the top 100 insurance brokers in the United States. In 2000, Hibernia National Bank
Hibernia National Bank
Hibernia National Bank, founded in 1870, was a personal banking and commercial lending institution headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was the largest and oldest bank headquartered in the state, and also had locations in Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas.-History:Founded by Irish immigrants...
purchased the agency and Ms. Jacobs became President of the merged Hibernia Rosenthal Agency. She remained president until 2002. In 2006, Hibernia, the largest deposit holder in Southeast Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, was purchased by Capital One
Capital One
Capital One Financial Corp. is a U.S.-based bank holding company specializing in credit cards, home loans, auto loans, banking and savings products...
and re-branded under the Capital One banner.
Orleans Parish School Board
In 1992, Ms. 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 DixonDixon, New Orleans
Dixon is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the Uptown/Carrollton Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: Interstate 10 to the northeast, South Carrollton Avenue to the southeast, Palmetto Street to the southwest and Cherry, Dixon, Mistletoe,...
, Uptown
Uptown New Orleans
Uptown is a section of New Orleans, Louisiana on the East Bank of the Mississippi River encompassing a number of neighborhoods between the French Quarter and the Jefferson Parish line. It remains an area of mixed residential and small commercial properties, with a wealth of 19th century architecture...
, Mid-city
Mid-City New Orleans
Mid-City is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the Mid-City District Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: City Park Avenue, Toulouse Street, North Carrollton and Orleans Avenues, Bayou St. John and St. Louis Street to the north, North Broad...
and the Black Pearl
Black Pearl, New Orleans
Black Pearl is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the Uptown/Carrollton Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: South Carrollton Avenue and St...
. She ran in an open primary
Open primary
An open primary is a primary election that does not require voters to be affiliated with a political party in order to vote for partisan candidates. In a traditional open primary, voters may select one party's ballot and vote for that party's nomination. As in a closed primary, the highest voted...
and placed first, taking 29% of the vote, or about 3,575 votes. In the run-off election, Ms. 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.
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Ms. Jacobs was appointed in 1996 to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. She was reappointed to this position in 2000 and served until 2008. Ms. Jacobs is credited as one of the prime architects for reform of Louisiana's Public Schools throughout the 1990s and 2000s, including developing and implementing the number one ranked school accountability system in the country and implementing major steps to improve teacher quality. According to the 2009 Education Watch Report released by the Education Trust, Louisiana is 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.As part of Louisiana's school accountability system, Ms Jacobs was instrumental in creating the Recovery School District
Recovery School District
The is a special statewide school district administered by the Louisiana Department of Education. Created by legislation passed in 2003, the RSD is designed to take underperforming schools and transform them into successful places for children to learn...
(RSD.) The RSD is administered by the Department of Education and is designed to take over academically failing schools.
Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Orleans Parish Schools were the worst performing in the state. 63% of the Parish's schools were failing. After Hurricane Katrina, Ms. Jacobs worked with Governor Blanco and State Superintendent Cecil Picard to place most of the Orleans public schools into the Recovery School District and to recruit high quality charter operators, like the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), to come to New Orleans and be part of the rebuilding. Today, New Orleans has the largest percentage of public school students in charter schools in the nation (57%). Student performance has improved significantly, with Orleans being one of the top five parishes in the state in growth in student achievement since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. On a State Department of Education performance measure, New Orleans has gained 13.7 points, growing from 56.9 to 70.6, while during the same time, the state grew only 3.6 points, from 87.4 to 91.0. President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
has praised the rejuvenation of Orleans Parish schools as a model for the rest of the country, stating: "And because a lot of your public schools opened themselves up to new ideas and innovative reforms, we’re actually seeing an improvement in overall achievement that is making the city a model for reform nationwide."
Civic life
Ms. Jacobs is on the board of several organizations and civic causes, including:- GNO Inc., a non-profit economic development corporation dedicated to cultivating the Greater New Orleans area's economy
- New Orleans Business Council
She has also served on other boards, including
- Young Leadership Council
- CBNO/MAC
- The Idea Village
504ward
Ms. Jacobs founded 504ward in 2008, a movement dedicated to retaining young professionals in the New Orleans. 504ward seeks to retain this talent as a key component to the long-term revitalization of New Orleans and a primary driver of a vibrant economy. Representatives from a broad spectrum of New Orleans organizations have united to address the issues pertinent to this 23-35 year-old dynamic: career prospects, social engagement, and opportunity for impact.Educate Now
After leaving BESE, Ms. Jacobs formed Educate NowEducate Now
Educate Now is a non-profit education reform organization founded in 2008 and based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Its founder is education reform advocate and former State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education member Leslie Jacobs. Ms...
, a non-profit committed to maintaining and expanding reforms of Orleans Parish Schools instituted after Hurricane Katrina and during Ms. Jacobs tenure on BESE. Educate Now continues to press for “effective and sustainable reform” of schools in Orleans Parish.
National awards
- Distinguished Service Award, National Association of State Boards of Education
Given annually to a state board of education member in recognition of outstanding service to public education.
- Distinguished Service to State Government Award, National Governor's Association
Given by governors to their states' most valuable civil servants and private citizens, this award emphasizes the important contributions private citizens make to state government.
When nominating Ms. Jacobs for this award, Governor Foster stated, "The conversation about education in Louisiana is no longer about who to blame for our failures, but about making sure each child learns and each school succeeds and recognizing their improvement. Leslie Jacobs changed that conversation; Leslie Jacobs changed the way public education in Louisiana works. I am grateful for her service and proud to nominate her for this honor."
- 1995 Delegate to the British-American ProjectBritish-American ProjectThe British-American Project is a fellowship of some 600 leaders and opinion formers from a broad spectrum of occupations, backgrounds and political viewpoints, drawn in equal numbers from the United States and the United Kingdom...
One of 24 delegates selected to represent the United States in a conference with 24 British leaders to develop mutual understanding between future leaders of both nations.
- “100 Leading Women,” Business Insurance,
Recognizes the top 100 women executives in the insurance industry.
Local awards
- “Twenty People Who Influenced Louisiana 1981-2001,” Louisiana Life Magazine
- Boy Scouts of AmericaBoy Scouts of AmericaThe Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
, “Whitney Young, Jr. Award”
Presented for an outstanding contribution toward implementing opportunities for at-risk urban youth in the New Orleans area.
- Young Leadership Council (YLC) Role Model
Awarded to 25 New Orleanians for making a difference in New Orleans and for providing an outstanding example for the young talent that the YLC represents.
- Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame Role Model
Recognized for entrepreneurial spirit and excellence in business leadership
- YWCA Role Model
- Louisiana Jaycee Outstanding Young Woman
- "Women of the Year," New Orleans CityBusiness
- Board of Directors Award for community service, Association of Fundraising Executives
Awarded for significant contribution through philanthropic programming to the betterment of the quality of life in New Orleans and in Louisiana