Latest news with #Wyatt
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
LSU board member accused of harassment, retaliation
Clouds pass over Tiger Stadium on Monday, March 20, 2023, on LSU's campus in Baton Rouge, La. (Matthew Perschall for Louisiana Illuminator) One of Gov. Jeff Landry's appointees to the LSU Board of Supervisors flew into a rage at LSU Health Shreveport when its staff would not perform a house call for her husband, threatening to fire multiple employees, according to a whistleblower complaint. She's also the subject of other complaints that allege she harassed several employees and meddled in the day-to-day operations of the medical school. Esperanza Moran, who openly rallied for the dismissal of former LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor David Guzick, is the subject of an anonymous whistleblower complaint, at least one Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint filed by top LSU Health Shreveport employees and a separate complaint filed to Landry by a top administrator. The Illuminator obtained documents cited in this report through a series of public records requests to LSU and the governor's office. According to an anonymous whistleblower complaint filed with LSU, Moran went to LSU Health Shreveport just days after being appointed to the board and '[caused] a public scene in outrage' that an employee was not permitted to treat her husband at Moran's private residence. 'This incident has caused significant distress within the LSU Health Shreveport community, affecting the staff's health, morale and productivity,' the complaint reads. 'While causing the disturbance, Ms. Moran threatened to terminate staff and said she was the new chancellor and in charge of LSU Health Shreveport.' The complaint goes on to say that Moran threatened to have Guzick, Sammy Wyatt, LSU Health Shreveport's chief compliance and investigation officer, and Sharon Dunn, vice chancellor for academic administration, fired from the university. Guzick resigned from his position in April after Moran's months-long pressure campaign and has since accepted a position with the LSU System office. Dunn and Wyatt are still employed at LSU Health Shreveport. Wyatt asked the governor to intervene, adding Moran's alleged actions are damaging to his personal and professional reputation, disrupting his ability to do his job as well as damaging LSU Health Shreveport's public trust. 'I am writing to request your assistance in resolving an ongoing issue with Ms. Esperanza Moran,' Wyatt wrote to Landry in December. 'She has been consciously, intentionally, and maliciously defaming, harassing, targeting, and retaliating against me, utilizing Power-Based Violence and creating a hostile working environment.' Power-based violence is a term found in a 2021 Louisiana law approved in the wake of a Title IX scandal at LSU. It is defined as 'any form of interpersonal violence intended to control or intimidate another person through the assertion of power over the person.' When a reporter asked her about the complaints after her Senate confirmation hearing at the State Capitol last week, Moran requested questions be sent to her via email. She has not responded to the emailed questions. Landry spokeswoman Kate Kelly and LSU spokesman Todd Woodward have not responded to requests for comment. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In its public records request to the governor's office, the Illuminator asked for any documents containing Landry's response to Wyatt's letter. No documents were provided. Moran has not yet received state Senate confirmation. Senators typically vote to confirm governor's appointees in batches and are expected to endorse Moran by the time the legislative session adjourns June 12. Sen. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, who represents Moran's district, said he would support Moran despite the complaints, noting that she has Landry's support. Esperanza Moran lives in Shreveport and is married to wealthy businessman Scott Moran. The couple own several businesses, including Moran Oil Co., and give generously to Republican political campaigns, including Landry's. The Morans also donate significant sums to LSU athletics, culminating in a plaza outside Tiger Stadium being named after Scott Moran when he gave money toward the 2012 remodel of the facility. Wyatt referred questions about his complaint to his attorney, Steve Soileau, adding that he is considering suing over Moran's conduct. 'Due to the status of the investigations and referred investigations and possibilities of litigation, we do not feel it would be appropriate to comment on specific items at this time,' Soileau said in response to questions about Wyatt's letter to Landry. 'Mr. Wyatt's letter speaks for itself and he stands by it. His EEOC complaint is still pending.' The 'referred investigations' involve Wyatt's work as the medical school's chief investigation officer. According to Wyatt's letter to the governor, some of these probes have been into Moran's personal friends, and one has been referred to the FBI, which Wyatt said in his complaint is looking into the incident along with state law enforcement. It's unusual for a university board member to be the subject of an EEOC complaint, according to several longtime higher education observers. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is a federal entity responsible for investigating workplace discrimination. 'I've seen a lot of supervisors come and go over the years, but I have never encountered anything quite like that,' said Kevin Cope, an LSU professor that has been involved in faculty governance at LSU for multiple decades. He was contacted for reaction to Moran's alleged actions. 'In fact, although the supervisors and I have disagreed, I will say the supervisors usually behave themselves pretty well. So this I will characterize as highly unusual, not only for LSU, but indeed for the nation and for higher education.' Politically appointed board members are not meant to be involved in the day-to-day running of a university, as it could threaten a school's accreditation. But the complaints allege Moran did just that. LSU closed its investigation into the anonymous complaint just days after it was filed, according to the case file the Illuminator obtained. A reporter reached out to every individual named in the complaint as possibly involved. Some did not respond, but others confirmed they were not contacted for the investigation. Woodward did not respond when asked why not all of the people named were contacted. During her Senate confirmation hearing, Moran was asked about the leadership of LSU Health Shreveport. 'There still needs to be some things cleared up,' Moran said. 'When you get the leadership working right, then everything trickles down, so I'm still working on that. I still have a little bit of work left to do.' Board members do not have sole authority to decide who staffs administrative positions in a university. Though sometimes they are involved in search committees to hire a top administrator, their influence is weighted by faculty, staff, students and community members. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kylie Kelce Admits the 1 Thing She'd "Like to Stop Doing" With Newborn Daughter
Kylie Kelce has returned to her podcast, "Not Gonna Lie," following the arrival of her daughter Finnley. The mom-of-four admitted that she "can't stop" consulting Google and comparing her newborn to photos of her other children. Kylie and Jason Kelce share four kids in total: Wyatt, Elliotte, Bennett, and Kelce has officially returned from maternity leave to her "Not Gonna Lie" podcast, and the host is already dishing out sage parenting advice following the arrival of her and Jason Kelce's fourth daughter, Finn. More specifically, there is one thing she does not recommend: comparing your newborn to past photos of your other kids. 'It's almost as bad as Googling on your fourth kid when you start scrolling back in your camera roll to see what your other children were doing at this age,' Kelce said. 'It's a bad idea. It's not a good idea. And I would like to stop doing it, but I can't.' As far as "Googling on your fourth kid" goes, Kelce admitted that she still consults the search engine with plenty of questions, despite the fact that she became a mother nearly six years ago with the birth of her first daughter, Wyatt. 'I actually still have no idea what I'm doing,' Kelce said. 'If I had to describe the change going from three kids to four kids in two words or less, 'holy shit,' it's not terrible. Let's go with 'not terrible.' That sounds better.' As for newborn Finn's three siblings? Kelce told listeners that Wyatt and Elliotte have so far been "super helpful." "They wanna talk to her," she explained. "She very much locks in on their faces and is distracted from an upset moment by their voices and by how close they get, which is, I mean, one of the cutest things you've ever seen in your whole life.' Younger sister Bennett, meanwhile, is not totally happy giving up her status as the youngest Kelce girl. 'Benny is the only one who's not interested in what she's doing and likes to pretend like she's not there,' Kelce joked. Read the original article on InStyle
American Press
6 days ago
- Sport
- American Press
Brotherly support: Lavergne duo set sights on National High School Finals Rodeo
Brothers Wyatt and Ty Lavergne have their sights set on a common goal: leave the Louisiana High School Finals Rodeo this week with championship hardware and earn a chance to compete for a national championship. 'It would be something I'd never forget,' Wyatt Lavergne said. 'It would be something that I'm sure hasn't been done very often, and it's definitely a dream. 'We can always say that we've done that before, and to be able to go do that and then compete and have a chance to win two national high school finals titles, that would be even better.' Wyatt, a senior, is the three-time defending saddle bronc riding state champion, while Ty, a sophomore, looks to win his first high school bull riding state title. The last time siblings won state titles at the LHSFR in the same season was two years ago when Lane and Lydia Touchet swept the cutting titles. Grace Dubois (breakaway roping) and Luke Dubois (team roping) did it in 2021. The brothers are always there to support each other in their battles in the arena. 'We help each other out every rodeo,' Wyatt said. 'We're behind the chutes for each other. 'The animals are out there to get you on the ground, and it takes a lot of mental strength to be able to really know with full confidence that you're there to win, and you expect nothing less but to put out the best effort you can. It's just a mental game. So if we could help each other with anything mental like that or mindset, then we're there for each other at least.' Just like on the football field where they play on both sides of the ball for DeQuincy High School, the Lavergne brothers have no fear taking on a 1,200-2,000 bull or 1,000- to 1,300-pound horse. 'I like the adrenaline most,' Ty said. 'I'm an adrenaline junkie. I like to fight against me and the animal. Nothing better than it.' The first-go round starts today with two performances at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The second-go will follow the same schedule on Friday. The top 15 in each event advance to the short-go at 5 p.m. Saturday. The top four in each event qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming, July 13-19. Wyatt hasn't lost a round at the state rodeo since his freshman season and has won all three titles by 23 or more points. He leads Zach Reeves by 24 points, 89-64, and won eight of nine rodeos in the regular season. 'I feel like I have no other choice but to let it all hangout and go have fun,' Wyatt said. 'Being my last one, I want to make it as memorable as possible. 'I'm blessed to be where I am right now with the possibility to win all four state titles. That would be a goal of mine.' Ty missed out on a trip to Rocks Springs last year by 1.1 points and turned that disappointment into a dominant season. 'I'm just doing a mental game,' Ty said. 'That's what I was dealing with last year. 'I was just in my head and kind of just threw that out the door and started to just kind of go after it with all I can. I've been on top all year long pretty much, and it's just been nice.' Ty won five of the last seven rodeos to close out the regular season and leads defending champion Brennan Polito 91-79. 'It's great to see him be able to climb the ropes this year,' Wyatt said. 'Man, he's been on a hot streak. 'I'm proud of him. He's been nothing but dominant this season for the high school rodeo, and I think he's going to stick it out.'
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Designer Rebecca Minkoff Goes From Fashion To The Food World
It's well-known in entrepreneurial circles that women-founded and led companies receive less funding compared to their male counterparts, and a new food-focused accelerator called SeedHer seeks to make a dent in that statistic. SeedHer emerges out of the Female Founder Collective, a women's entrepreneur group co-founded in 2018 by fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff and serial entrepreneur and angel investor Ali Wyatt. Female Founders Collective has approximately 25,000 total members, including its exclusive dues-paying members. As the collective has grown, it's also worked to formalize and professionalize its offers even further, said Wyatt. Approximately two years ago, the Female Founder Collective started to curate around more specific industries with six cohorts a year to allow founders a better chance to network and bring in partnerships and resources that would appeal to different cohorts. This is in addition to its existing consulting marketplace platform, The North, where founders can contact advisors directly. But its latest venture with SeedHeris, geared towards food and beverage founders. SeedHer originated from a few facts, including the lack of funding for female-led businesses, the low margins for food startups that deter entrepreneurship and growth, and the fact that women are the 'chief nourishment officers' in their households, said Wyatt. Female-founded companies secured $38.8 billion in venture funding in 2024, marking a 27% increase from the previous year. However, this rise came amid a 13.1% drop in deal count, while all-male-founded companies experienced a higher 33.2% growth in deal value with a smaller 7% decline in deal count, according to Pitchbook's 2024 US All In: Female Founders in the VC Ecosystem report. 'What tends to happen, and we don't see this with their male counterparts, is they don't have a relationship at Walmart [or similar] that keeps them on the shelves,' said Wyatt. 'We want founders to have the phone-a-friend concept where they can call their [expert] friend and ask them questions at these pivotal points along the way that will get them out of trouble and allow them to keep growing.' SeedHer features a 12-week course includes eight 'masterclasses' and community meetings with mentors in partnership with Kellanova's Pure Organic brand. Kellanova was formerly known as Kellogg's. There will also be coursework for founders that can be integrated into business practices, like re-examining existing margins and changing the unit economics. The idea is that it's not incremental work or skills they're gaining, but instead substantial enough to help them with immediacy. SeedHer applications opened on May 29 and applicants should have a minimum $500,000 in annual revenue, and applications will be judged by the FFC and Kellanova Pure Organic teams. Approximately 15 startups will be chosen. The program culminates with a Demo Day in November. On the Demo Day, the panel of experts will provide insights and feedback to founders. 'While FFC built a movement around collective support, SeedHer is a next step in providing select female founders in food and beverage with more direct resources, mentorship, and funding pathways to help them grow their businesses,' she said in an email. 'At the end of the SeedHer accelerator, we want founders to leave with practical insights, strategic direction, and stronger industry connections to help them scale.' The creation of SeedHer comes at a time of change for the snacking industry. Consumers have been interested in healthier options for some time, ranging from high-protein options currently in vogue to less processed products. Health officials have raised the U.S. population's awareness over ultra-processed foods and potential negative health consequences, while petroleum-based synthetic food dyes as received federal scrutiny. FFC and Kellanova Pure Organic came together to work on SeedHer after Minkoff crossed paths with Leslie Serro, vp of sweet snacking at Kellanova and connected on the topic of entrepreunialism. Kellanova did invest an undisclosed sum as a premier sponsor to SeedHer, but is not providing grants to participants, said Serro. Serro said she plans to bring in Kellanova leaders to speak with and mentor SeedHer participants, including marketing, financing and retail. She said the major painpoints identified include entering retail, managing supply chain and scaling up the business. 'As we go through different stages of our life, we see different things,' she said. 'The Female Founder Collective, and these entrepreneurs see things differently, are pushing boundaries, and are looking for new solutions.'
Business Wire
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Newbury Street II Acquisition Corp Announces New Board Appointments, Further Strengthening Media, Consumer and Finance Experience
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Newbury Street II Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq: NTWO, the 'Company') today announced the appointments of Tony Vinciquerra and William Wyatt to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Vinciquerra has served as Chief Executive or Senior Advisor for several of the world's largest and most influential media companies. From 2017 to 2025, he was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment ('SPE'), overseeing the studio's global operations, including motion picture, television and digital content production and distribution, worldwide media networks, and the development of new entertainment products. Following his stepping down from the CEO role in early 2025, he has continued to serve as SPE's Non-Executive Chairman. Before joining SPE, he was a senior advisor to TPG Inc., a private equity firm, in the Technology, Media and Telecom sectors, where he advised on acquisitions and operations, from 2011 to 2017. Prior to TPG, Mr. Vinciquerra was chairman of Fox Networks Group, the largest operating unit of News Corporation, from 2008 to 2011, and president and CEO from 2002 to 2011. Mr. Wyatt is the Managing Partner of The Donerail Group, a financial services firm that he founded in 2018. Donerail's strategic advisory business serves as financial advisor to global companies and financial sponsors, and its investment management business invests institutional capital across a variety of strategies and vehicles. In March 2021, Mr. Wyatt co-sponsored a special purpose acquisition company, Isos Acquisition Corporation, that later merged with Bowlero (now known as Lucky Strike) in a $2.6 billion transaction. Prior to founding Donerail, he was the Head of Event Driven Investments at Starboard Value, an investment firm. 'Tony and Will both bring a significant amount of experience that will augment our ability to identify attractive business combinations across multiple sectors,' said Tom Bushey, Chairman and CEO of Newbury Street II Acquisition Corp. 'Tony's track record leading large, diversified media businesses, in addition to having served as an active director for several of the largest and most influential consumer-facing companies, will provide our board with distinct advantages, and his willingness to partner with entrepreneurs to help accelerate growth and enhance profitability following any combination creates a unique benefit that Newbury Street can now provide. Will's capital markets expertise and deal-making ability will add greatly to the team's already deep experience. We are thrilled to welcome both onboard.' Matthew Hong, the current Independent Chairman of the Board, has notified the Company that he has accepted a full-time executive position as President of Sports at VERSANT, the prospective publicly traded Comcast spinoff of NBCUniversal cable networks. 'We thank Matt for his many invaluable contributions and look forward to seeing him execute in his new position,' said Mr. Bushey. Mr. Vinciquerra has been appointed Chairman of the Board, replacing Mr. Hong, effective immediately. Mr. Vinciquerra currently serves on the board of Madison Square Garden Sports, a role he has held since 2020. He previously served as a director of Qualcomm Incorporated from 2015 to 2025, Pandora Media, Inc. from 2016 to 2017, Univision Communications, Inc. from 2011 to 2017, Motorola, Inc. from 2007 to 2011, Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. from 2011 to 2012, and DirecTV from 2013 to 2015. Mr. Vinciquerra and Mr. Wyatt will join current board members Tom Bushey, Jennifer Vescio, Josh Gold and Ted Seides. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. About Newbury Street II Acquisition Corp The Company is a special purpose acquisition company ('SPAC') whose business purpose is to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company is sponsored by Newbury Street II Acquisition Sponsor LLC. The Company is led by Thomas Bushey, Chief Executive Officer. The Company's other directors include Jennifer Vescio, Josh Gold and Ted Seides. The Company's Chief Financial Officer is Jake Gudoian. Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based, except as required by law.
