The Committee of 100 (C100) and the Council for A Better Louisiana (CABL) have merged to form “Leaders for a Better Louisiana.” Adam Knapp from C100 and Barry Erwin from CABL discussed the merger, which aims to amplify their impact by combining their resources and expertise. This merger has been in discussion for years, and the goal is to scale their influence more rapidly in the nonprofit sector.
C100, established in 1992, consists of senior executives across Louisiana who work on specific projects to advance the state. Their focus has been on economic development and improving the delivery of economic development initiatives. CABL, founded in 1962, has a long history of advocating for good governance and state improvements. Their recent focus has been on governmental ethics and education at all levels. CABL also runs the Leadership Louisiana program, which has over 1,600 alumni and is a significant part of their work.
The merger aims to combine the strengths of both organizations. While C100 and CABL have different structures and membership bases, their values and the issues they address are well-aligned. The merger is expected to be relatively seamless, with minimal growing pains anticipated. The new organization will continue to focus on economic development, fiscal policy, and education, aiming to create a state that attracts businesses and residents.
Adam Knapp emphasized that the merger should result in a synergistic effect, where the combined efforts of both organizations will have a greater impact than they could achieve individually. The new entity will maintain CABL’s trusted voice on good governance and accountability issues, continuing to serve the state effectively. The overarching goal is to push Louisiana forward, addressing one issue at a time to create a better future for the state.