The Young Professionals Initiative of Northwest Louisiana, a program of the Greater Shreveport Chamber, is pleased to announce Emily Jo Manchester-Sanden as the recipient of the 2025 Young Professional of the Year Award. The award was presented at the 40 Under Forty Awards & Gala, presented by Ochsner LSU Health, held at Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino on Friday, December 5, 2025.
Emily Jo Manchester-Sanden earned her Master of Science in Nonprofit Administration and Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential from LSU Shreveport in 2018. She has served with the Renesting Project for more than seven years, including the last three as Executive Director. In 2025, she was recognized as the Remarkable Woman of the Year for the ArkLaTex by Nexstar Media for her leadership and community impact. Emily Jo is currently attending the Community Development Institute, Louisiana, and is working toward her Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED) credential.
“We are pleased to recognize Emily Jo Manchester-Sanden as the YPI Young Professional of the Year,” said Dr. Timothy Magner, President of the Greater Shreveport Chamber. “This year’s 40 Under Forty class represents the very best of our region’s emerging leaders, and Emily exemplifies the dedication and commitment to service that strengthen Northwest Louisiana.”
The 40 Under Forty Awards, presented by Ochsner LSU Health, honor forty professionals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated excellence in their careers, education, professional development, community leadership, and volunteer efforts. One honoree is selected each year as the Young Professional of the Year, representing the highest level of achievement among the class.
The 2025 40 Under Forty Honorees are:
- Aaron Bronson – Visit Shreveport-Bossier
- Joe Brownlee – Bossier Parish Community College
- Keidra Buggs – Volunteers of America North Louisiana
- Caitlin Busada – Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport
- Keshia Carhee – Eight Consulting LLC
- Clint Davis – Bonvenu Bank
- Marcus Edwards – City of Shreveport
- Shanaé Elbert – Efficient Assistance by Elbert’s Events
- Chris Eldredge – Heard, McElroy & Vestal
- Heather Fontenot – Shreveport Rouxgaroux
- Laura Gauthier – The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center
- Leona Gray – Shreveport Police Department / Community Policing Bureau
- Ronnetra Green – Brentwood Hospital
- Kevin Hebert – LSU Health Shreveport
- Kourteni Henderson – DeSoto Parish School Board
- Trestin Holmes – U.S. District Court – Western District of Louisiana
- John Hoogland – Hoogland’s Landscape
- Lauren LJ Jones – Shreveport Green
- Erin Kenny – Starns, Kenny & Easterling LLC
- Linsey Kincaid – Forte & Tablada, Inc.
- Crystal P. Mack – Fresenius Kidney Care
- Emily Jo Manchester-Sanden – Renesting Project, Inc.
- Annie Pearl McCulloch – Caddo Parish Schools
- Daniel McDonnell – Shreveport Fire Department
- Brooke McGaugh – LSU Health Shreveport
- Deidre McVay-Schulmeister – The Arc Caddo-Bossier
- Alicia Mingo – Happy Healthy Pregnancy LLC
- Madalyn Monarch – First Horizon Bank
- Victoria E. Moore – Envision Media and Marketing
- Brigette Moss – Fixx Medical Spa
- Dr. Sara Munjampalli, MD – Sleep Care Clinic
- Phelicia Neal – Sunbelt Staffing
- Clinton Patrick – Volkert, Inc.
- Bob Thames – Single Source
- Jonathan Wall – BOM Bank
- Sara Walters – LSU Health Shreveport
- Jamie Wells – Centenary College of Louisiana
- Luke Whetstone – Cook, Yancey, King & Galloway
- TaLisia Williams – A New Beginning Counseling Services, LLC
- Pastor Kermit Young, Jr. – The Prayers Club / City of Shreveport
