Rob Wise | Moderator
Rob Wise is the CEO and Owner of ITinspired, a technology services company headquartered in Baton Rouge. Under Rob’s leadership, ITinspired has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Baton Rouge for multiple years and recognized as an LSU Top 100 Tiger-Led business.
An LSU graduate and former Mike the Tiger mascot and cheerleader, Rob brings energy and authenticity to every endeavor. He co-founded ITinspired with a mission to build a business centered on people, purpose, and service. He leads the company using the “platinum rule”—treating others how they want to be treated—and has built a team culture that emphasizes empathy, collaboration, and high performance.
Rob is an active community leader and mentor. He supports youth entrepreneurship through programs like the Young Entrepreneurs Academy of Baton Rouge and the American Academy of Entrepreneurs, and he serves on nonprofit boards including the Junior League of Baton Rouge and the Louisiana Resource Center for Educators.
A proud Louisiana native, Rob lives in Baton Rouge with his wife Michelle and their two children. As moderator of the Louisiana Youth Seminar’s Dream State panel, Rob brings his experience as a business leader, motivator, and mentor to help inspire the next generation of Louisiana changemakers.
Rep. Terry C. Landry Jr. | Panelist
Rep. Terry C. Landry Jr. is a dedicated public servant, attorney, and policy leader committed to building a more equitable and transparent Louisiana. Elected in 2025 to represent House District 67 in Baton Rouge, he has quickly earned a reputation in the Legislature as a thoughtful bridge-builder—someone who leads with integrity, puts people first, and works tirelessly to create opportunity for every Louisianan.
A proud Louisiana native, Terry graduated from LSU and later earned both a Juris Doctor and a Master of Public Administration from Southern University. His career spans both the public and private sectors, including roles as Associate General Counsel for Acadian Ambulance, Chief of Program Integrity for Louisiana’s Medicaid program, and Policy Director for the Southern Poverty Law Center. No matter the title, his focus remains clear: serve with purpose, protect the vulnerable, and make government work for the people.
In the House, Terry serves on the Education, Transportation, and Retirement committees, using his seat at the table to advocate for smart, future-focused policies that uplift communities and strengthen Louisiana for generations to come.
Terry’s leadership journey started at LYS, where he attended as a delegate in 1998 from Teurlings Catholic High School and later returned as a staff member. Today, as a member of the LYS Hall of Fame, he continues to inspire young leaders with this message: leadership is not about titles—it’s about doing the work, showing up for others, and believing in what’s possible.
Terry lives in Baton Rouge with his wife, Valencia, and their three children. At LYS, he reminds us that the roots of leadership run deep—and that true change comes when we lead with courage, conviction, and community.
Dr. Sonja Pruitt-Lord | Panelist
Dr. Sonja Pruitt-Lord is the Executive Director of the Louisiana Youth Seminar and currently serves as the Interim Vice Provost at San Diego State University, where she leads initiatives in academic innovation and faculty excellence. A nationally recognized expert in speech, language, and hearing sciences, Sonja is also a tenured professor and former Program Director of the M.A. Program in Speech-Language Pathology. Her research focuses on child language acquisition and disorders in culturally and linguistically diverse populations, and she has been awarded numerous federal and local grants—including several from the National Institutes of Health—to support her groundbreaking work.
Sonja is a proud product of Louisiana and a lifelong believer in the power of youth leadership. She holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, and her passion for education and mentorship has defined her career in both academic and community settings. She is a dedicated teacher and mentor, recognized with multiple Outstanding Faculty Awards and a strong publication record that spans peer-reviewed journals, national presentations, and collaborative school partnerships.
Her leadership journey began at the Louisiana Youth Seminar, where she attended as a delegate in 1995 from Riverdale High School and was named Most Outstanding Delegate. She returned to serve as a Junior Counselor, Counselor, Head Table member, and Program Director from 2000–2003. Sonja is a proud member of the LYS 5-Year Club, was inducted into the LYS Hall of Fame, and currently serves on the Board of Directors in addition to her role as Executive Director.
Whether mentoring future speech-language pathologists in San Diego or empowering high school students in Baton Rouge, Dr. Pruitt-Lord is committed to helping others find their voice, embrace their potential, and lead with empathy and purpose. Through every chapter of her life, her message remains the same: leadership starts with listening, learning, and lifting others up.
Sonja has spent the last 25-plus summers (and her Birthday!) in Baton Rouge but resides in San Diego with her husband and daughter.
Will Warner | Panelist
Will Warner serves as the Deputy and Business Excellence Leader for Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) Quality, based in New Orleans, Louisiana. In this role, Will helps lead strategic initiatives and drive excellence across quality operations for Boeing’s global defense and space programs. With nearly two decades at Boeing, Will has held progressive leadership roles across Engineering, Program Management, and Quality—including extensive work on the International Space Station and the Space Launch System (SLS) programs.
A proud Louisiana native, Will earned his degree in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University, where he was active in Student Government and served as President of the Engineering College Council. He began his Boeing career in Houston as a software engineer supporting the ISS before being tapped to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Program Manager. Later, he returned home to Louisiana to support NASA’s SLS program at Michoud Assembly Facility, eventually leading a team responsible for the manufacturing and delivery of the rocket’s core stage engine section. Most recently, he oversaw a quality organization of more than 150 engineers, inspectors, and specialists across multiple NASA sites, ensuring design-to-launch quality integration for one of the most complex space programs in history.
Will’s leadership journey began at the Louisiana Youth Seminar, where he attended as a delegate from 1999 to 2002. During his final year, he was elected Secretary-Treasurer and recognized as “Most Spirited Delegate”—a title he still wears proudly. He now serves on the LYS board and remains a passionate supporter of the program’s mission.
Will lives in New Orleans with his wife, Denelle, and their two dogs. When he’s not working to launch rockets, he enjoys traveling, cheering on LSU and the Saints, and spending time with friends—many of whom he met at LYS.