Nineteen Central Louisiana professionals graduated Nov. 9 from Cenla Boardbuilders, a Community Development Works program that trains emerging leaders to become active in their communities as members of nonprofit Boards of Directors. Community Development Works is a program funded by The Rapides Foundation.
The professionals went through a series of sessions this fall to learn the roles and responsibilities of being an effective board member. After completing the training, they were matched with a nonprofit organization and will now serve on their boards. In addition, they were each assigned a seasoned board member to guide them during their first year as new board members.
CDW Program Supervisor Akeshia Singleton commended the graduates for their committed and active participation. "This class is definitely up to the challenge of serving effectively on nonprofit boards” she said. “Collectively, they have rolled up their sleeves and worked hard to find out how to become an asset to the boards they serve on in the future.”
This is Cenla Boardbuilders' seventh graduating class. The graduates and the nonprofit organizations that they were matched with are:
• Vanessa Barger of Alexandria, retail area manager at Hancock Bank; Renaissance Home for Youth
• Jasmin Bedoya of Pineville, branch manager at Hancock Bank; Food Bank of Central Louisiana
• Doug Byrd of Many, corporate sales executive at Brown and Brown of Louisiana; Food Bank of Central Louisiana.
• Andre Christophe of Alexandria, administration/manager at Christophe Counseling and Housing Options; Central Louisiana Homeless Coalition
• Candy Christophe of Alexandria, programs coordinator at Re-Entry Solutions; City Park Players
• Ronald DeKeyzer of Pineville, regional information management executive at CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital; Rapides Habitat for Humanity
• Toma Epps of Ball, merchant advisor at Capital One; United Way of Central Louisiana
• Joel Ferrier of Alexandria, executive director at Front Porch, England Oaks; Friendship House Adult Day Services
• Nikki Gibson of Colfax, human resource director at Pecan Grove Training Center; Montessori Educational Center
• Andre Gonzaque of Pineville, benefits counselor at Colonial Life; Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Louisiana
• Rodney Hatch of Oakdale, unit forester at RoyOMartin Lumber Company
• Karen Jones of Alexandria, branch business manager at Capital One; Central Louisiana Breastfeeding Coalition
• Venita Jones of Alexandria, HDL quality leader at Procter & Gamble; Family Counseling Agency
• Sanikya Keyes of Alexandria, warehouse department manager at Procter & Gamble; Rapides Station Community Ministries
• Ray McKay Jr. of Alexandria, financial advisor at McKay Strategic Benefits; Rapides Children’s Advocacy Center
• Tyeyeeka Skillern of Pineville, plant technician at Procter & Gamble; Central Louisiana Arts & Healthcare
• Shirley Turner of Alexandria, manager customer services at Cleco; Volunteers of America
• Joe Varchetto of Alexandria, cost analyst at Procter & Gamble; Rapides Symphony Orchestra
• Linda Wright of Alexandria, auditor at Inn@MacArthur; Family Counseling Agency.
Cenla Boardbuilders is a service offered free of charge to people, employers and nonprofit organizations located in Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Rapides, Natchitoches, Vernon and Winn parishes. For more information, call Community Development Works at 1-800-803-8075, or visit www.communitydevelopmentworks.org
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