Annie Wingate Spell, Louisiana State Representative for District 45, joins Discover Lafayette to share the journey that led her to public service. Annie’s story is one of unwavering determination, professional excellence, and personal resilience.

A licensed clinical child psychologist, Annie holds degrees from UL Lafayette and LSU. In 2024, she was honored with the Angel Award by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation for her long-standing advocacy on behalf of Hearts of Hope, which supports survivors of sexual assault victims in Acadiana.

A lifelong learner and self-starter, Annie recounted the early days of her path to becoming a psychologist. While studying at USL, she pivoted from business to psychology after realizing her passion for understanding human behavior. She reached out to 16 local psychologists listed in the Yellow Pages, offering to pay for their time to learn more about the profession. “They didn’t charge me.” One of those who answered her call, Dr. Kenneth Bouillion, became an influential mentor, helping her determine that child psychology was her calling: “I always thought it was easier to build up a child than build up an adult. There’s so much flexibility in a child’s development and fluidity that if we can affect change on their environment, we could have better outcomes for them. ”

A Lafayette native, Annie credits her parents, Joan Babineaux Wingate and Keith Wingate, with instilling a deep sense of faith, gratitude, and service. “God will provide. But don’t act as if He will. Don’t take anything for granted.” Her mother, she said, is “the epitome of a servant leader. My father was one of those dads that was ever involved. Having three girls, he learned that shopping malls could be fun. He learned that cheer camps are the best thing ever.”

Annie’s grandfather, Judge Allen Babineaux, was also a defining influence in her life. A former Louisiana State Representative for District 45, he served as a judge in the 15th JDC. He championed CODOFIL, advocated for the recognition of Acadiana as a geographic and cultural region, and played a key role in bringing about the Acadiana flag. “He wasn’t just a politician… He was a neighbor, a friend, and a leader.”

The flag of Acadiana was first displayed on Feb. 22, 1965, the centennial of the Acadian arrival in this area. Shown are Thomas Arceneaux, president of the Bicentennial Celebration of France-Amerique and the designer of the flag; Roy Theriot, president of the Acadian Committee; and Judge Allen Babineaux, who sponsored the flag’s creation. Photo credit: Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court Louis Perret

She also spoke of her experience helping children and families after Hurricane Katrina, both in New Orleans and later during her residency in Houston, where she worked with evacuees from Louisiana. “The strength of a community and the ability for people to mobilize together is really critical. “The need for a strong community was ever evident to me in those moments when crisis hits, in those moments when what you thought was certain, which you had taken for granted, was no longer there. The strength of a community and the ability for people to mobilize together is really critical. I saw children who are by far very resilient most times when it comes to tragedy. So a lot of what I did was supporting the parents in those moments because they were the ones that were obviously dealing with the very serious consequences of their home, their work, all of that.”

Annie married Joe Spell, founder and CEO of Tides Medical, in 2006. She described him as “a generous person, generous in spirit and time” who waited for her while she pursued her goals. The strength of their relationship was evident when Annie was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma shortly after the birth of their first son. “The day I was diagnosed was the day that my husband Joe, was hiring his first executive besides himself. The company was growing at the time, I believe there was six people in the office, and he was hiring his first exec to help out with the marketing and research. And it was the day that I was diagnosed. And so it was a very pivotal, pivotal day. It’s an indelible memory. I knew I’d be fine…I leaned on my faith tremendously.” She went into remission within six months and has had clean scans ever since. “No one ever regrets surviving cancer.”

After her recovery, Annie poured herself into community service. In addition to her leadership with Hearts of Hope, she contributed to the Autism Society of Acadiana, Miles Perret Cancer Services, Acadiana Center for the Arts, Schools of the Sacred Heart, and ESA (Episcopal School of Acadiana). She also became Pack Committee Chair of Cub Scout Pack 446, an active role that involves, as she noted, “a lot of camping and a lot of work.”

Annie’s path to the Louisiana House of Representatives was unexpected—she ran unopposed and was seated quickly. “I was extremely flabbergasted…At the end of qualifying, I was the only person that had applied.” She immediately began a “quick tour of Lafayette” to meet with elected officials, law enforcement, community leaders and stakeholders before heading into her first legislative session just one month later.

As a freshman legislator, Annie was appointed to Health & Welfare, Transportation, and Retirement committees—assignments that aligned closely with her expertise and priorities. “Health and welfare is something I’m going to try and push the needle on as best I can… statewide.”

Among her legislative successes in the 2025 session:

Annie credited her colleagues—particularly Senator Brach Myers, whose seat she now holds—for helping her acclimate quickly: “He took me on a tour my first day at the Capitol and introduced me to everyone.” She also thanked Speaker Phillip DeVillier for placing her on committees that matched her skills.

Annie’s thoughtful, faith-driven, and community-first approach is unmistakable. As she reflected on the whirlwind of her first year in office, she emphasized that public service is about asking the right questions, using personal experience to shape policy, and being an accessible representative for her constituents.

To learn more, visit www.anniespell.com. Her District 45 office is located on South College Road in Lafayette alongside that of State Senator Brach Myers, conveniently nestled between Popeyes and Hub City Diner.

And when she’s not serving at the Capitol or in the community, you can find Annie cheering on her sons, ages 12 and 8, “on soccer fields across the Southeastern side of the U. S.”

In her family, the grandparent names are endearing: “Mojo” for her mom, “Bear” for her dad, Granby for her mother-in-law, Beverly, and “Grizz” for her father-in-law—“because he wanted to be better than Bear.”

This conversation with Annie Wingate Spell is a powerful reminder that resilience, service, and a heart for others can drive real change in our community and state.