Other members include the Democratic strategist Donna Brazile and the Republican strategist Mary Matalin ; Sibal Holt , former president of the Louisiana A.F.L.-C.I.O . ; Laura A. Leach , an owner of the Sweet Lake Land and Oil Company , in Lake Charles , La . ; Walter J. Leger Jr. , a New Orleans lawyer and business leader ; and Susan L. Taylor , editorial director of Essence magazine .