In selecting this year’s NextGen Leaders, NAA sought to highlight emerging young leaders who are active in the broader afterschool community, demonstrate contributions that have started to influence beyond individual programs to entire organizations and communities, are actively engaged in efforts to elevate the afterschool field, have a proven passion for developing themselves and others, and demonstrate persistence in their work to grow as leaders.

"The National AfterSchool Association knows that strong afterschool leaders develop the skilled professionals and teams that run strong organizations and quality programs that result in positive youth outcomes,” said Gina Warner, President and CEO of NAA. “These emerging leaders will help shape the afterschool field and profession for years to come.”

2023 NextGen Leaders include:

Emilia Autin-Hefner, Heart and Hand Center || Denver, CO

Claire Bruncke, Dylan Jude Harrell Community Center || Long Beach, WA

Nanceny Fatou Fanny, Bayview Foundation || Madison, WI

Ranner Faugas, Boston Debate League || Boston, MA

Quadarius Hardy, University of Georgia Extension (Georgia 4-H) || Vienna, GA

Teresa C Kersey, Boys and Girls Clubs of Lower Bergen County || Lodi, NJ

Kelly Latterman, KinderCare Learning Companies || Steamboat Springs, CO

Carolina Machado, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services || Austin, TX

Alexandria Nicholson, Horizons Savannah || Savannah, GA

Ajayi A. Pickering-Haynes, Positive Youth Development Virgin Islands || St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Jamie Scott, Edna Martin Christian Center || Indianapolis, IN

Rebekah Stone, Fairfax County Therapeutic Recreation Services || Fairfax, VA

Shawna Viola Washington, Connecticut Network for Children and Youth || Hartford, CT

Lindsy Weaver, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District || Fairbanks, AK

Karin Wolfe, Westat || Troy, TX

Chiron X, VOXATL || Atlanta, GA

Emily Young, National League of Cities || Washington, D.C.

These honorees will be profiled in the Spring 2023 issue of NAA’s AfterSchool Today magazine. View a digital edition of the magazine here after March 8, 2023.

An estimated 10.2 million young people participate in afterschool programs each year and the industry employs an estimated 850,000 professionals and leaders. NAA is the professional membership association that fosters positive youth outcomes by supporting, developing, and advocating for afterschool professionals and leaders.