Keppler

About Ray Nagin

When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, the devastation was unimaginable. One of America’s most vibrant cities lay drowning in the waters of the Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain and many observers believed that the community would never recover. Today, New Orleans is in the midst of a booming recovery, and one man in who has never waned in his commitment to the city's revitalization is Mayor C. Ray Nagin.

Nagin, a two-term mayor, was elected on a platform of economic development, a commitment to attracting new business, and a plan to stamp out poverty. Determined to globalize New Orleans, Nagin set out to transform the city from just a tourist destination to a multifaceted “great place to do business.”

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Nagin worked dutifully to fulfill his campaign promises. Within 30 days of the disaster, he developed the Bring New Orleans Back Commission, a master plan for the city’s revival. Today, New Orleans has the fastest growing population in America, is the focus of more green construction than any American city, has one of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates, and a thriving public education system.

The story of New Orleans’ revival is not about one city or one leader, but the story of the American spirit and surmounting adversity. Mayor Ray Nagin shares this remarkable tale, and shows audiences that by working together, investing in people, and finding innovative solutions, obstacles can be overcome with astonishing results.

Why you should host leadership speaker Mayor Ray Nagin:

• First-person insight into the effective crisis management needed to lead New Orleans to recovery.
• Specific expertise on revitalization, including economic development, education, healthcare, and green construction.
• The inspirational story of New Orleans and how it relates to your life, your community, and your organization.

Ray Nagin's Speech Topic(s)

• New Orleans Revival: Rainbow After the Storm
  In this remarkably moving presentation, Mayor Ray Nagin shares the story of post-Katrina New Orleans and its recovery from disaster. A lyrical, engaging speaker, Nagin takes audiences on a front-row journey through the setbacks and triumphs that, five years after the hurricane, have made the city stronger than ever. Now a leader in green construction and innovative education, and one of the fastest-growing cities in America, New Orleans is a model of hope and progress. Emphasizing the importance of cooperation and civic engagement at all levels, Nagin demonstrates that it is possible to recover from disaster, and that there is a rainbow after every storm.
• Revitalizing a City: The Keys to Successful Urban Renewal
  Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans to its core, devastating the city’s infrastructure and crippling the local economy. Today, however, the city is home to $26 billion in construction projects, a renewed commitment to quality public education, and a thriving business sector. How did New Orleans bounce back? What were the steps taken to promote growth across multiple industries? Mayor Ray Nagin shares personal insights into the redevelopment of New Orleans, revealing the tenacity and innovative thinking needed to transform a city.
• Building for the Future: Transforming Public Education
  In 2005, New Orleans’ public school system was widely considered the lowest performing district in Louisiana, and one of the worst performers in the country. After more than 100 school buildings were damaged or destroyed in Katrina, drastic action was taken to transform the district into a high performance system. Mayor Nagin reveals how everything from charter school development to decentralization of power has dramatically altered New Orleans schools, and what every district in the country can learn from these positive changes.