Twenty Central Louisiana professionals on Dec. 4 graduated 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 each 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.

Akeshia Singleton, Community Development Works program supervisor, commended the graduates for their committed and active participation. "It is your hard and creative work that provides the basis for today's celebration," she said.

This is Cenla Boardbuilders' fifth graduating class. The graduates and the nonprofit organizations that they were matched with are:

• Lauren Arnold of Alexandria, mental health professional at Behavior Works Counseling Agency; YMCA of Central Louisiana.
• Connie Baker of Alexandria, director of Human Resources, Plywood Business Unit, at RoyOMartin; United Way of Central Louisiana. 
• Kara Bertrand of Alexandria, administrator at Pecan Grove Training Center; Rapides Symphony Orchestra.
• Kevin Box of Alexandria, director of consumer relations and marketing at The Slayter Companies; Volunteers of America Central Louisiana.
• Mary "Charli" Bravinder of Alexandria, retired substitute teacher, Rapides Parish schools; Renaissance Home for Youth.
• Sherry Brown-Prenell of Alexandria, Medicaid Analyst 2 at Rapides Medicaid DHH/MUA; Food Bank of Central Louisiana. 
• Debra Bynog of Pineville, administrative assistant at Louisiana State University at Alexandria; Friends of the Alexandria Zoo.
• Heather Dubroc of Alexandria, partner at Daenen Henderson & Co. Certified Public Accountants; Wellness Works in Cenla.
• Chaquetta Johnson of Alexandria, regional nurse manager at DHH, Office of Public Health; Young Women's Christian Association.
• Chad Juneau of Alexandria, vice president of estimating at Gilchrist Construction; Alzheimer's Association.
• Benjamin Lawrence of Alexandria, attorney at Lawrence Law Group; American Red Cross.
• Susan Martin of Marksville, shift manager at Paragon Casino Resort; Young Women's Christian Association.
• Toni Martin of Pineville, attorney at Law Office of Toni R. Martin; Rapides Habitat for Humanity.
• Dustin Matthews of Alexandria, associate banker/business banking at Capital One Bank; Friendship House Adult Day Services.
• Elizabeth Matthews of Alexandria, HR field representative at Gilchrist Construction; Family Counseling Agency.
• Evelyn Renfrow of Alexandria, staff accountant at Payne, Moore and Herrington; Hope House of Central Louisiana.
• Connie Robinson of Alexandria, controller at Gilchrist Construction; Avoyelles Arts Council.
• Brittany Sonnier of Alexandria, associate banker at Capital One Bank; Wellness Works in Cenla.
• Brandi Tregre of Pineville, customer service leader at Procter & Gamble; Renaissance Home for Youth.
• Dale Willis of Alexandria, area manager at Gilchrist Construction; Rapides Habitat for Humanity.

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. Print