Meet Courtney Burdette, new head of Louisiana Department Environmental Quality
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Courtney J. Burdette was named the new secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) by Gov. Jeff Landry on May 2.
Her background as a veteran attorney includes experience in environmental law and public administration, according to a news release from LDEQ. She joined the agency in 2014, serving as general counsel before serving as executive counsel from 2023. She made history at LDEQ, becoming the first Black woman to hold those positions.
She earned a bachelor's degree from Howard University and a juris doctorate from LSU's Paul M. Hebert Law Center. Burdette's legal career includes working as an assistant attorney general with the Louisiana Department of Justice and judicial clerkships at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.
'Secretary Burdette's broad experience, professionalism, and long-standing dedication to public service make her uniquely qualified to lead LDEQ into its next chapter,' Landry said. 'She understands the critical importance of protecting our environment while fostering responsible economic development. We are proud to welcome her back to the agency in this leadership role.'
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Burdette, a Baton Rouge native, described it as an honor to return to LDEQ to lead the agency in its mission to provide environmental protection services and compliance programs. Her goal is to strengthen the relationship with stakeholders, the industry, and the public while ensuring transparency.
'This is a full-circle moment for me, and I'm honored to return to LDEQ as Secretary,' Burdette said. 'I know the caliber of professionals that work here and the impact this agency can have on Louisiana's environment and the communities we serve. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of integrity and innovation as we tackle some of our state's most complex environmental challenges.'
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