Robin LeBlanc '10 receives 2021 Women to Watch Emerging Leader Award

Leader, community supporter, and accountant are all a few words to describe alumna Robin LeBlanc. LeBlanc ’10 recently was selected to receive the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants’ 2021 Women to Watch Emerging Leader Award. With over ten years of public accounting experience, LeBlanc has made a name for herself in the industry as the president and business advisor of her own accounting firm—Robin LeBlanc, Certified Public Accountant.

She is highly involved in her community and serves in several different roles, including board member of the Broussard Economic Development Corporation and a founding board member/treasurer of the Louisiana Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Most importantly, LeBlanc is passionate about helping other business owners accomplish their own goals and succeed.

LeBlanc never initially planned to have a career in accounting. However, when she discovered the profession, she knew she was up for the challenge. Originally from New Orleans, LeBlanc attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette after transferring from the University of New Orleans. She started out studying management but switched her major after taking an accounting class. “I switched my major to accounting because I enjoyed the challenge of it,” said LeBlanc. After graduating, LeBlanc quickly passed her CPA Exam and started working in the field.

In 2015, she felt a desire to shake things up and eventually became a business owner herself. “I didn’t intend to start a firm. The firm just started around me,” said LeBlanc. While taking some time away from her corporate job, LeBlanc started helping friends with their accounting and business needs on the side. She realized that this could turn into something, and soon after, her accounting firm was born. Now, LeBlanc has a team of seven employees that serve clients across the community.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, LeBlanc has had to stay on her toes as rules and regulations in the accounting profession constantly changed. Even though it was challenging to stay abreast with the changes, LeBlanc is grateful that she could help her clients get through these obstacles. This dedication to helping others is why she was selected as the 2021 Women to Watch Emerging Leader Award recipient. When she found out she had won this award, LeBlanc was utterly shocked. “I had no idea I was even nominated,” said LeBlanc. Later on, she discovered that her entire staff had secretly nominated her for the achievement. After telling her that she’d won, her team presented her with a stack of referral letters from friends, clients, and colleagues, all supporting the decision for LeBlanc to win this award. “It was very humbling,” said LeBlanc.

As her firm continues to grow, LeBlanc would like to eventually open up other locations and expand the services she’s able to offer. She also hopes to be able to continue to do more speaking engagements in the community. No matter where her life takes her, LeBlanc is focused on pushing herself to be the best she can be while remaining kind and compassionate to others. “It will always benefit you in the future just to be nice today,” said LeBlanc. Even though she could’ve never predicted this is where her life would end up, LeBlanc is confident that she is where she’s meant to be.

Photo Caption: Robin LeBlanc Photo Credit: Ragin' Imaging Photography