My name is Michelle Courseault, and I’m the executive director of the French Quarter Management District. Our mission is to make the French Quarter a safer, more vibrant place to live, work, and visit. We focus on public safety, quality of life, and creating solutions that benefit residents, businesses, employees, and tourists alike.

We work closely with our board, evenly split between residents and business owners, to identify the Quarter’s most pressing challenges and implement thoughtful solutions—from street lighting that balances safety with residents’ comfort to initiatives that enhance daily life for everyone in the neighborhood.

For me, helping the community is about service in action. The privilege of serving others, whether a local resident, business owner, or visitor, is central to what I see as the best of American values: using your freedom and resources to uplift and support others. Every improvement we make, no matter how small, strengthens the Quarter and fosters a sense of care, belonging, and civic responsibility.

Service isn’t just a task—it’s a commitment to the people around you. Through this work, I’m reminded every day that contributing to my community is not only deeply rewarding but also an expression of what it means to be an American.