News Post

Stephanie Spielman Cargile has been named the next president of St. Joseph’s Academy. She will assume the leadership role following the retirement of President Jan Rhorer Breen on June 30. 

Cargile, a 1988 graduate of the Academy, recently retired from ExxonMobil, where she worked in a number of capacities since 1999. Her final position at the multinational oil and gas corporation was as Southeast U.S. Region government relations advisor. 

With more than 35 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, communications and team-based leadership, Cargile has a proven track record in strategic planning, budgetary stewardship, innovation, collaboration and educational partnerships.

“I’m humbled and honored to become president of SJA,” Cargile said. “I’m here to serve the students first, their families and the faculty and staff, who are the heart of our campus. I’m ready to share my passion for SJA’s mission and to offer my leadership skills to support academic excellence, drive innovation and preserve the charism that makes SJA a special place.

“During my career, I’ve cultivated diverse stakeholder relationships, helped kickstart community education initiatives and mentored young professionals,” she added. “I believe these experiences support SJA’s mission to educate young women as unifying members of the world community. I’m excited to cultivate leadership development in our students and faculty and grow partnerships in the Greater Baton Rouge community.”

As an Academy alumna and mother of a 2021 graduate, Cargile is deeply committed to the vision and charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Their foundational spirit to bring all people into union with God and one another will shape her approach to her new role. “St. Joseph’s Academy is built upon three pillars, the first of which is faith development,” Cargile said. “Woven throughout the educational experience at SJA is the importance of relationships. I am honored to carry forth the Sisters’ spirit of unity, hospitality and service to the dear neighbor without distinction.”

Dr. Yolunda Taylor, chair of the 2025-2026 SJA board of directors, said Cargile’s appointment comes after a prayerful and thorough search. “We could not be more thrilled that Stephanie has answered the call to lead our beloved school,” Dr. Taylor said. “Stephanie arrives with an inspiring and distinguished record of leadership, a deep commitment to the mission and cherished charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph and a bold vision for the future of our school and the young women we serve. She shares our deep commitment to innovation and collaboration, embracing progressive, creative ideas while bringing our students, faculty and community together in meaningful and purposeful ways. This is truly a defining moment in the life of our school, and I am confident that under Stephanie’s guidance, St. Joseph’s Academy will continue to flourish and reach new heights of excellence. I cannot wait to witness all that God has in store for St. Joseph’s Academy under Stephanie’s extraordinary leadership.”

John D’Angelo chaired the leadership search committee which worked with Partners in Mission to embark upon a carefully designed process to choose the Academy’s next president. Deliberately walking through the process ensured the naming of a president who is imminently qualified to foster SJA’s standing as a pillar of academic excellence in the Baton Rouge community, D’Angelo said. 

“As chair of the search committee, I’m proud to say we found an extraordinary leader for SJA’s next chapter,” D’Angelo said. “Stephanie brings exceptional executive experience from ExxonMobil along with the strategic leadership, vision and relationship-building skills that will serve our school well in the years ahead. Just as importantly, she has a deep personal connection to SJA, and as a longtime Baton Rouge resident, she has strong relationships across our community. During the interview process, Stephanie articulated a compelling vision for the future of SJA that builds upon the strong foundation and legacy established by Jan Breen.”

Cargile is an enthusiastic advocate for ensuring access to quality educational opportunities that help ensure future success. In her role at ExxonMobil, she created educational and research partnerships with Louisiana State University to prepare students for careers in low-emission and energy technologies. She convened state agencies and two community colleges to pilot best-practice workforce training programs across the state. She currently serves as president of the Foundation for East Baton Rouge Schools and previously served on the SJA board of directors. 

“From shaping classroom and teacher-support programs, education has been a longtime passion,” Cargile said. “Now, I’m committed to focusing my talent and energy into building excellence and opportunity at St. Joseph’s Academy. I’m excited to embrace more experiential learning, support strategic facility growth, expand our role as a community partner and continue to ensure a safe, nurturing environment for our students.”

Stacia Andricain, who has been principal of St. Joseph’s Academy since 2015, said she looks forward to welcoming and working with Cargile. “This is an exciting moment for our school community,” Andricain said. “Stephanie’s background in government relations and regional leadership has equipped her with the skills to navigate complex challenges, build partnerships and advocate for our students. As an alumna and parent of an Academy graduate, she knows firsthand the transformative power of our mission. We look forward to the insight and steady leadership she will bring as she guides the school into its next chapter of educating young women.”

Breen was named SJA’s first lay president in July of 2012. Following her retirement, she will be named president emeritus and, during the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, will assist in Cargile’s transition and help see pending initiatives through to completion. She said she is delighted with the choice of Cargile as the Academy’s next president. “Stephanie’s experiences in education and in industry have provided her with the knowledge to broaden and initiate opportunities and potential partnerships for women in technology, science, math and engineering, areas in which women are often underrepresented in the workforce,” Breen said. “Her strategic plans for education and service outreach in our community reflect our mission and the Sisters’ charism in action. As a servant leader, Stephanie will lead SJA to even greater heights as she partners with our faculty and staff in the next chapter of our history.”

Cargile has worked with female energy industry executives across the region, some of whom are SJA graduates, and has seen the benefits of a strong STEM education. As technology, healthcare and global energy demand continue to grow at a fast pace, she is committed to preparing students for exciting career opportunities. “I’ve helped ExxonMobil build high school internship programs and workforce development curriculums that have catapulted young people into lifelong STEM careers,” she said. “Experiential learning, whether through internships, mentoring programs or real-world projects with local companies, is one area I’d like to expand for our students.”

Cargile was chosen as SJA’s Distinguished Graduate for 2020. During her career at ExxonMobil, she was named the 2024 Louisiana Chemical Association’s Government Relations MVP and was twice named the association’s Public Relations MVP. She was the recipient of two ExxonMobil Public Affairs Global Excellence Awards and was among the 10 female leaders honored as winners of the 2019 Business Report Influential Women in Business Award. 

Dozens of community organizations have benefitted from Cargile’s active volunteer service, including GNO, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Grow Louisiana, Louisiana Chemical Association, Louisiana Mid Continent Oil and Gas Association, Public Affairs Research Council, Baton Rouge North Economic Development District, HOPE Ministries, Nexxus Louisiana, Baton Rouge Rotary Club, Junior League and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.

Cargile said she is ready and energized to step into her new role. “I’m eager to learn from our students, faculty, staff and SJA community,” she said. “I can’t wait to hear their insights, collaborate on new ideas and be part of the campus spirit and energy. As an alum and parent of a recent graduate, this role will be a homecoming.”