LYS Alumni Profiles

Since 1971, Louisiana Youth Seminar has made a difference in individuals' lives. Read some of the LYS Profiles below to find out how these individuals were impacted by their LYS experience.

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Barbara Jo Pease

LYS Profile:  Barbara Jo Pease

1971 – Co Founder of Louisiana, Springhill High School
Recently retired – Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, Shell Oil Company

Barbara Jo Pease is one of three co-founders of LYS. Jo co-founded LYS with Val Marmillion and Karl White, college friends. Jo was a sophomore at Northwestern State University. She served as a Counselor in 1971 and as Assistant Program director from 1972 through 1980. Jo was inducted into the LYS 5 Year Club and the LYS Hall of Fame. She has served on the Board of Directors for many years, including serving as Chair of the Board for multiple terms. Jo has served LYS in almost every capacity and has been involved throughout LYS’s history. Today she serves on the Advisory Board, chairs the Board of Directors Fund Development Committee, and focuses her energies on raising money to support the Louisiana Youth Seminar.

Recently Jo retired from Shell Oil Company after serving over 29 years in various management positions. Her last senior management position was Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer for Shell in the U.S. In this capacity, Jo established Shell’s first Ethics and Compliance program and structure and worked closely with the Shell Oil Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer. Jo received a B.S. in Accounting from Northwestern State University and a Masters in Business Administration from Yale University. She is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas. In 2005, Jo was honored by Texas Executive Women (TEW) as one of ten “Women on the Move.” TEW selection criteria for Houston’s top female leaders includes professional activities, community service and life journey. In 2006, Jo was recognized by Northwestern State University for career accomplishments and was named to the Long Purple Line, the most prestigious alumni honor. Jo serves on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities in Houston, as well as on the Board for Incarnate Word Academy; she is also active in numerous other charitable organizations. Jo and her husband Tim live in Houston, Texas. Tim has three children: Jeremy, Austin and Kira. Kira has attended and loves LYS.

Jo loves LYS and continues to dedicate significant time and personal resources to the Louisiana Youth Seminar. When asked why, Jo emphatically states that “she believes in the youth of Louisiana and wants to make a difference in her home state.” Jo says that every year she hears from students who attend LYS and who tell her what a difference LYS has made in their lives!