BOSSIER CITY, LA – Emily Jo Manchester-Sanden, CNP, the Executive Director of Renesting Project,
Inc., has recently completed Year 1 of the Community Development Institute (CDI) Central in
Louisiana on February 18-21, 2025, in Bossier City.

The Community Development Institute (CDI) Central was established in 1987 to train community
and economic development professionals in Arkansas and surrounding states. Participants move
through the program curriculum in cohorts and are exposed to a comprehensive, applied approach
to community and economic development. The Louisiana program was launched in 2024 as an
official satellite site of CDI Central in Conway, AR through the hard work and determination of Lisa
Johnson and Jessica Hemmingway of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce. Manchester-Sanden
stated, “Lisa and Jessica did a fantastic job hosting and running the class; they very gracefully
pivoted one day when our trainers were snowed in up north – I’m so grateful to them for bringing
this opportunity to Bossier.”

The institute builds the capacity of individuals and communities to positively impact economic and
social development. This is achieved by expanding an individual’s ability to identify community
assets, set goals, encourage collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders, and bringing
together groups of people to respond to a broad range of economic and quality-of-life issues.
The Louisiana CDI experience is different than other sites as we train for three weeks within one
year. “This first year was an incredible experience. The information, the networking, the connection
with my class- I am already so looking forward to sharing what I’ve learned and going back for the
next session!” said Manchester-Sanden.

More information about CDI Louisiana can be found at https://www.bossierchamber.com/cdi-
central-in-louisiana/