Dr. Cathy S. Banks is an accomplished entrepreneur, CEO, educator, author, philanthropist, and faith leader whose work reflects a clear calling: to build people, strengthen communities, and create pathways for lasting opportunity. With decades of executive leadership, business ownership, nonprofit development, and educational advocacy, she has become a visionary leader committed to advancing spiritual, economic, and social empowerment locally and globally. BUSINESS LEADERSHIP, VISION, AND IMPACT Executive and Entrepreneurial Leadership – Dr. Banks serves as Founder and Executive Director/CEO of Elite Academy in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and has led organizations that combine mission, operational discipline, and community responsiveness. As a business owner, nonprofit founder, author, and education advocate, she brings a practical understanding of strategy, staffing, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable growth. Financial and Business Acumen – Since 2005, Dr. Banks has served as CEO of Liberty Plaza Properties, leading an 80,000-square-foot commercial leasing enterprise that supports small businesses through below-market lease opportunities. She oversees financial operations, staffing, tenant relations, contracting, lease negotiations, vendor partnerships, and real estate agreements—demonstrating strategic stewardship and a commitment to economic development. Vision Casting and Organizational Growth – Dr. Banks leads with a strong sense of purpose, communicating the “why” behind the work and building leadership teams aligned with the mission. Her approach emphasizes clear vision, accountable execution, diversified revenue streams, sound budgeting, and long-term preparation so that organizations can grow with excellence and remain rooted in their founding purpose. EDUCATION, COMMUNITY, AND GLOBAL SERVICE Dr. Banks’ leadership extends deeply into education and community transformation. She ran for the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, campaigning across eight parishes on a platform centered on equitable education through school choice, school safety, and teacher pay increases. She has also served for more than 20 years as Campus Director for Life Christian University’s Lake Charles Extension Campus, where her academic preparation includes a Doctorate in Divinity and Christian Theology and a Master’s in Pastoral Studies. Through outreach initiatives, Dr. Banks has helped equip individuals and families with resources for life skills, workforce readiness, health and wellness, counseling, financial planning, and business development. During times of crisis, she has also organized major distribution efforts for food, supplies, and community resources, reflecting a leadership model grounded in service, resilience, and practical compassion. Her impact reaches beyond Southwest Louisiana. In Monrovia, Liberia, Dr. Banks and her husband, Bishop Joseph Banks, have expanded international ministry through Living Word Christian Center of Liberia, a Women’s Business Center, the Global Leadership Conference, a Bible College, and a K-12 school established in her honor as Dr. Cathy S. Banks Elite Academy of Liberia. These efforts reflect her vision to develop leaders, strengthen families, and open doors for education and enterprise across generations. Dr. Banks’ additional achievements include contributing to Thomas Nelson Publishing’s first Daily Devotional for Women, earning certification as a John Maxwell Life Coach, and releasing her autobiography, The Making of Me, with Leeds Publication in 2025. Across every endeavor, her work is marked by faith, courage, innovation, and an unwavering belief in the potential of people. Through executive leadership, business stewardship, nonprofit innovation, ministry, authorship, and global educational outreach, Dr. Cathy S. Banks continues to build a legacy of purpose-driven impact. Her life’s work inspires others to lead with vision, serve with excellence, and transform opportunity into lasting change.

Principal Tamara Clark brings more than two decades of experience in education, instructional leadership, and student development to her role as Principal of Elite Academy. As a dedicated educator and proven school leader, she has helped strengthen student achievement, support positive behavior, build meaningful family and community partnerships, and collaborate with faculty and administrators to create a cohesive vision for student success. Throughout her career, Ms. Clark has demonstrated a deep commitment to meeting the needs of diverse learners through academic intervention, multi-tiered support systems, relationship building, and strategic planning. Her classroom and leadership experience reflects her passion for creating engaging learning environments, supporting teachers, working closely with families, and helping students develop the confidence, discipline, and knowledge needed to thrive. Principal Clark earned her Master of Arts in Teaching, Bachelor of Arts in English, Associate of Arts in Spanish, and Master +30 in English from McNeese State University. She holds a Louisiana Department of Education Teaching Certificate in Secondary English for grades 6–12 and Educational Leadership Level 1 certification. As Principal of Elite Academy, she is committed to leading with integrity, fostering a culture of excellence, and ensuring that every student is supported, challenged, and prepared for success.

With more than 30 years of experience in accounting, operations management, business administration, and organizational leadership, Chief Operating Officer Teri Thomas has dedicated her career to strengthening the financial and operational foundations of businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, and community-based organizations. Her expertise includes nonprofit administration, fund accounting, grant management, and public and private school accounting, supported by a proven ability to improve systems, streamline operations, implement financial controls, and advance organizational accountability. Drawing on extensive management experience, Ms. Thomas partners with executives, boards of directors, school administrators, ministry leaders, and nonprofit stakeholders to develop practical solutions that enhance performance and support informed decision-making. She has supervised teams, developed policies and procedures, implemented automation strategies, and fostered collaborative work environments focused on efficiency, accountability, and excellence. As an accomplished grant writer and administrator, Ms. Thomas has helped mission-driven organizations identify funding opportunities, prepare strong proposals, manage reporting, and meet compliance requirements throughout the grant life cycle. Her strategic guidance, sound financial stewardship, and practical business solutions have helped organizations secure resources, expand programs, increase capacity, and translate vision into measurable, community-centered results.