Thirteen Central Louisiana professionals graduated Nov. 4 from Cenla Boardbuilders, a Community Development Works program that trains emerging leaders to become active in their communities as members of nonprofit boards. Community Development Works is 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. “They rolled up their sleeves and worked hard to find out how to become an asset to the boards they serve on,” said CDW Program Supervisor Akeshia Singleton. This was Cenla Boardbuilders’ eighth graduating class.

The following graduates were matched with a nonprofit organization at the completion of Cenla Boardbuilders:

• Carmen Campo, sales executive employee benefits, Brown and Brown Insurance of Louisiana, United Way of Central Louisiana.
• Jerry Jones Jr., project coordinator at Central Louisiana Business Incubator, Rapides Symphony Orchestra.
• Carissa McDaniel, sales at Alexandria Golf and Country Club, Central Louisiana Breastfeeding Coalition.
• Sandra Mask, training specialist at Crest Industries, Hope House of Central Louisiana.
• Karli D. Pidgeon, pastor at Asbury-Emmanuel-Rosa Chapel United Methodist Church, Arts Council of Central Louisiana.
• Anthony Tradewell, owner of Tony Tradewell Landscape Architect, Rapides Habitat for Humanity.
• James Vance, retired, Central Louisiana Homeless Coalition.

These graduates were newly seated on nonprofit boards when they first entered the Cenla Boardbuilders program. They are:

• Sarina Burhans, benefits administrator at Procter & Gamble, Louisiana Czech Museum.
• Celeste Coleman, assistant store manager at AT&T, Louisiana International Piano Competition.
• Jim Hurst, owner of Secnarf Consulting, Central Louisiana Homeless Coalition.
• John McDaniel, retired, The Extra Mile of Central Louisiana.
• Sidonie McDaniel, retired, YMCA of Central Louisiana.
• Ryan Peters, workforce development manager at RoyOMartin, Arts Council of Central Louisiana.

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