In partnership with The Acadiana Advocate, the705 is recognizing its annual Top 20 Under 40 Acadiana Leadership Award honorees, presented by Advancial Federal Credit Union. Honorees will be recognized at a May 2 banquet. For tickets, visit bit.ly/20under40for2025.
Jessica Noel Ritchey is employee benefits adviser with NFP and president of the Acadiana Society for Human Resource Management and 2024 Ambassador of the Year by One Acadiana.
Tell me about your life growing up. Where are you from, and who were your biggest influences on your life?
I am from Carencro and grew up the fourth of five girls. Family has always been the biggest influence in my life. My mom was a single mom who went back to school while raising five daughters. She showed me what hard work and sacrifice looks like. My dad was a business owner, and from the time I was six to 12, I worked for him. That is where my strong work ethic comes from. My sisters are my biggest supporters. They’re strong, funny, fiercely independent women who love me unconditionally. My kids also inspire me every day to create a better future for our family, and my husband is my biggest cheerleader. He is always encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone and be my best self.
You and 19 others are being recognized for your professional accomplishments. What’s one thing you have learned as a professional that you wish you knew when you were younger?
First, always be yourself. Show up as your authentic self and be open to learning, growing and evolving. When you do that, you’ll always end up where you are meant to be. So many of the opportunities I’ve had came because the people around me saw something that I didn’t see in myself. Their belief in me helped grow me into the person I am today. Second, everything is temporary. The tough times — when you feel like you are barely hanging on — won’t last forever. Just keep going one step at a time. But the same goes for the good times. When things are great, be present and soak it in. Learning to embrace both highs and lows makes all the difference.
You mentioned your work in the space of helping veterans in the workplace. Why is this so important to you, and why do you think should companies hire veterans?
My husband is a veteran and even though he served before we married, I’ve known him since I was 15. When I got involved with Acadiana SHRM and started supporting our local nonprofits, I connected with Acadiana Veteran Alliance and it just clicked. The more I learned about the challenges veterans and military spouses face in the workforce, the more I realized how much talent companies we’re missing out on. Veterans bring so much to the table — leadership, discipline, time management, perseverance — from their military service. Some industries recognize this, but many overlook the value veterans can bring. In a time when companies are struggling to fill roles, veterans are an untapped talent pool. Hiring them isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s a smart business decision.
You were named Ambassador of the Year last year for One Acadiana. Can you tell me what that was like to receive that honor?
It was such an honor. I became an ambassador because of my role with NFP. Business development, brand building and relationship building are huge parts of what I do. But once I got involved, I saw how much more One Acadiana was about. Their mission, resources and impact on the community made me excited to be a part of it. I wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary. I was just out there connecting with people and championing our local business community. To be recognized for something I love doing was the icing on the cake. But I don’t see it just as my award. Everything I’ve accomplished with NFP is something I share with my team. I couldn’t do it without their support.
What keeps you here in Lafayette? How can Lafayette make itself more attractive to young professionals to want to move here?
There are so many things that keep me in Lafayette, but at the heart is family. I am lucky to have such a strong, close-knit support system. Even if we don’t talk every day or spend every holiday together, I know we are always there for each other. The same goes for my friends and the Acadiana community. The culture here is special. To attract young professionals, Lafayette needs to focus on what they are looking for. We’re already a great place to raise a family, but that is not every young professional’s path. It’s important for businesses leaders to take a step back, listen and understand what young professionals need and then take action.
