EJ Encalarde

President and Chief Operating Officer of Festival Productions, Inc. of New Orleans

Eugenié Jones Encalarde, known as “EJ” to her colleagues, is a powerhouse in the world of large-scale music and entertainment production as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Festival Productions, Inc. of New Orleans. With deep experience as a senior coordinating producer, EJ has orchestrated some of the nation’s most iconic events, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Essence Music Festival, Bayou & Buckeye Country Superfests, the NFL Kickoff in Jackson Square, Super Bowl Boulevard, and Presidential Inaugural Celebrations. Her leadership has driven the success of these globally recognized gatherings, underscoring her reputation for confidence and excellence in festival production and management. Her recent recognition by Billboard as one of the 2024 Touring Power Players further highlights her impact and influence within the live event industry. 

At Festival Productions, EJ is the operational force behind a dynamic, turnkey-intensive organization renowned for its high-performing producers. Her role spans a broad spectrum of executive responsibilities, including leading cross-departmental initiatives, hands-on coaching, and facilitating agile teaming strategies. As Coordinating Producer for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, EJ works under the direction and mentorship of Quint Davis, Producer/Director, where she drives comprehensive production planning, leads team alignment, and spearheads post-event evaluations. 

Beyond her executive role, EJ is a certified strengths coach, facilitator, and a lecturer at Tulane University Freeman School of Business bringing over three decades of expertise in project management, team building, and leadership development. Her cross-generational, multi-level organizational insight has earned her prestigious recognition, including the City Business Women of the Year award and the National Diversity Council’s Glass Ceiling Award, honoring her transformative impact and dedication to diversity. 

EJ’s purpose-driven goal is to empower high-performing leaders and team builders, guiding them toward transformation, fulfillment, and peace in their professional and personal lives.