Welcome
it’s our time to shine!
Dining with Deb™ was created to bring extraordinary women together in a space where we can connect authentically, support one another, and stand confidently in our collective truth. This gathering is more than an event—it is a celebration of community, leadership, and the power of women coming together with intention.
We have thoughtfully curated an experience designed to inspire conversation, spark new connections, and create moments that will stay with you long after today.
Thank you for being part of this special community. We hope the spirit of today carries with you until we meet again.
DebGrant
4:45p.m.
DoorsOpen 5:30p.m.
SponsorRemarks
RockyDufauchard,DirectorofNational Accounts,NewOrleans&Company
NickySparrow,ExecutiveVicePresident
Buffet,Cocktails,
Gemma Dryburgh is a professional golfer competing on the LPGA Tour and is entering her ninth season among the world’s elite. In 2022, she captured her breakthrough victory at the Toto Japan Classic, establishing herself as a champion on the global stage.
In 2023, Gemma proudly represented Team Europe at the Solheim Cup, competing in one of the most prestigious events in women’s sport.
Originally from Scotland, she represented the Scottish National Team before continuing her career at Tulane University, where she competed at the highest level of collegiate golf. She is proud to call New Orleans home and travels the world competing on the LPGA Tour.
Gemma’s journey reflects resilience, ambition, and belief. She brings the mindset of a champion and a passion for empowering women to pursue excellence in sport, business, and beyond.
AngelicaHarris
Angelica Harris began her golf journey at age five with The First Tee of Greater New Orleans, where she developed the discipline and leadership that continue to shape her life. She later led her team at Louise S. McGehee School to a state championship and was selected for over a dozen First Tee national events, including Pebble Beach, the Life & Leadership Academy in Virginia, and Bay Hill in Orlando, where she played alongside President George W. Bush. Most recently, she participated in programming at AWS re: Invent in Las Vegas.
Angelica competed on the Women’s Varsity Golf Team at Washington University in St. Louis, earning dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Computer Science and a Master’s in Computer Science.
Today, she is the Founder & CEO of Top Tutors for Us, an AI-powered edtech platform closing the racial standardized testing gap, and proudly serves as a Committee Member for The First Tee of Greater New Orleans.
TorieKranze
Torie, originally from St. Louis, attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, graduating cum laude with degrees in Communications, English, and Business. After college, she moved to New Orleans and began her career as an environmental and engineering recruiter before joining the NO/AIDS Task Force as Operations Coordinator, where she managed computer network administration and hardware. In 1994, she transitioned into fundraising and development, highlighted early on by her role in opening the House of Blues alongside Magic Johnson and Natalie Cole.
Torie has been with the National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana for 30 years and, following a nationwide search, became Chief Executive Officer in 2004. She has served on the boards of Save Our Cemeteries, the New Orleans Photo Alliance, the Human Rights Campaign, Community Health Charities of Louisiana and Mississippi, and French Quarter Citizens. She currently serves as Vice Chairman of CASA Jefferson and sits on the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency advisory board.
Torie has been involved with the Fore!Kids Foundation, the charitable arm of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, since 2006 and will serve as Tournament Chairman for the 2026 Zurich Classic. She enjoys traveling, cooking, and mentoring the next generation of leaders.
KarringtonKnight
gan playing golf at age seven with her father and soon joined First Tee, where she completed nearly every certification and graduated as an Eagle participant in 2018. She served on the Teen Advisory Committee and later as President of her chapter’s Alumni Council. Today, she serves on the inaugural First Tee National Alumni Advisory Council, helping guide participants as they transition into alumni leadership.
Karrington helped establish both her middle school and high school golf teams alongside her father, who served as coach. During high school, she earned All-Metro and AllDistrict honors every year, led her team to a regional championship, and consistently placed among the top finishers at the Louisiana State Tournament. She went on to play collegiate golf at Rhodes College, where she served as Women’s Golf Team Captain for two years and earned SAA Honor Roll, WGCA All-American Scholar, and AllSportsmanship honors while graduating cum laude.
Karrington currently works in the Office of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett as a legislative correspondent covering foreign affairs, science and technology, labor, energy, and environmental policy. She holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from George Washington University and remains committed to a career in international development and public service.
Thankyou! SPONSORS
Our goal is to cultivate and maintain what we call a “virtuous cycle” between the businesses and attractions that make up the tourism industry, the visitors who invest in that business and attractions, and the city’s residents who benefit from tourism. As our promotion of the city continues and the city’s offerings evolve, we will continue to support New Orleans’ culture by providing more career opportunities than any other industry in the region and by generating revenues to fuel a vibrant economy in which all residents can find a path to prosperity.
The future is bright for New Orleans tourism and our city! Here, at New Orleans & Company, we look forward to even more growth in visitation and visitor spending in the future, and in return, adding even more jobs and tax revenues to our city's economy and nourishing and sustaining our city’s culture for generations to come.
iHeartMedia, Inc. specializes in radio broadcasting, podcasting, digital and live events through division iHeartMedia (sans "Inc." suffix; formerly Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, Clear Channel Radio, et al.) and subsidiary iHeartMedia and Entertainment, Inc. (formerly Clear Channel Broadcasting, Inc.); the company owns more than 860 full-power AM and FM radio stations in the U.S., making it the country's largest owner of radio stations. The company has also been involved in internet radio and podcasting via the digital platform iHeartRadio.
Thankyou! PARTNERS
