A native of Louisiana, J. Renea Duffin is an accomplished and proven leader in the private sector and government. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business/Public Administration from Louisiana State University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Southern University.
Upon completing her Master’s degree, Renea served her state for 13 years in both the legislative and executive branches. From 1996 through 2001, Renea served in Governor Mike Foster’s administration as first, the undersecretary of the Department of Social Services, then Deputy Commissioner of Administration for Policy, and ultimately Secretary of the Department of Social Services during his second term.Renea joined the state’s largest private health insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, in November 2001 as Senior Vice President for Member and Community Relations. She also served as the Corporate Diversity Officer and President of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation.
In summer 2006 Renea put her professional career on pause and became full-time caregiver to her sister who was living with cancer. This life changing experience inspired her to seek “success with significance”. Since February 2007 she has served as the Vice-President of Cancer Support and Outreach at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. She is responsible for the oversight and strategic development for mission-based programs and services within a 30-parish service area to lessen the burden of cancer in the community. These programs include education, research and early detection, including the management of three mobile medical clinics. She also responsible for the Cancer Centers grants management program which has a portfolio of grants in excess of $5 million. Renea also serves as the governmental affairs liaison for the Cancer Center at local, state and federal level.
While her professional career and community service are important, she views her most challenging and rewarding role as those of wife to her husband, Morise L. Duffin, Jr., and mother to her son, Morise L. Duffin, III (Trey) who is a junior at Xavier University of Louisiana.