Building Bridges and Improving Futures

Next Gen provides students who have been traditionally overlooked with exposure to college and career pathways and a network of support so they graduate with a confident plan for the future.

Mission

To close the opportunity gap for under-resourced students in Atlanta through exposure and support to graduate prepared for college and career.

Vision

Every student is prepared to seize the opportunities life has to offer.

Meet Our Diverse Team

Our team is committed to empowering tomorrow’s leaders, one student at a time.

Phil Olaleye

Executive Director

Meet Phil, the dynamo behind Next Gen! As our Executive Director since 2017, Phil brings boundless energy to leading strategic growth, fundraising, and management. But that's not all – Phil's journey is packed with adventure! Before joining us, he…

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Phil Olaleye

Executive Director

Meet Phil, the dynamo behind Next Gen! As our Executive Director since 2017, Phil brings boundless energy to leading strategic growth, fundraising, and management. But that's not all – Phil's journey is packed with adventure! Before joining us, he rocked as the Director of Performance Management at WorkSource Atlanta and even spread his magic as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines. And wait for it... Phil's also our superhero State Representative for Georgia House District 59, championing Atlanta and East Point with his unstoppable spirit!

Cedric Forbes

Director of Development

Superpower: Getting People on the Team – I genuinely love meeting new people and building relationships. I’m usually the person who will strike up a conversation, find a connection, and somehow leave with a new contact,…

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Cedric Forbes

Director of Development

Superpower: Getting People on the Team – I genuinely love meeting new people and building relationships. I’m usually the person who will strike up a conversation, find a connection, and somehow leave with a new contact, potential partner, best friend, or someone who wants to help.

Fun Fact: I forced my family to audition and compete on Family Feud live with Steve Harvey.

Dania Roach

Director of Programs
Superpower: My superpower is building clarity from scratch. I can take a big idea, a blank page, or a lot of moving pieces and turn them into a system that works. I’m always thinking about how to make things clearer and more…

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Dania Roach

Director of Programs
Superpower: My superpower is building clarity from scratch. I can take a big idea, a blank page, or a lot of moving pieces and turn them into a system that works. I’m always thinking about how to make things clearer and more intentional while keeping the people my work serves at the center.
Fun fact: I do an unreasonable amount of karaoke.

Marian Rosario

Senior Manager, Alumni Success

Superpower: My superpower lies in my ability to foster deep and meaningful connections. Empathy is my greatest strength, enabling me to not only walk in someone else's shoes but to dance in them. Through empowering those around me,…

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Marian Rosario

Senior Manager, Alumni Success

Superpower: My superpower lies in my ability to foster deep and meaningful connections. Empathy is my greatest strength, enabling me to not only walk in someone else's shoes but to dance in them. Through empowering those around me, stronger communities are built, relationships are nurtured, and a sense of unity is instilled.

Fun Fact: I am very creative, I love to sing and write!

DeMorris Marable

Communications Consultant

Superpower: My superpower is bringing words and brands to life. Whether it's crafting compelling narratives, designing engaging content, or orchestrating impactful campaigns, I thrive on communicating the heart and soul of a brand…

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DeMorris Marable

Communications Consultant

Superpower: My superpower is bringing words and brands to life. Whether it's crafting compelling narratives, designing engaging content, or orchestrating impactful campaigns, I thrive on communicating the heart and soul of a brand to its audience, leaving a lasting impression that resonates.

Fun Fact: I’m probably the biggest Serena Williams fan you’ll ever meet.

Board of Directors

Our board’s guidance and strategic vision are reshaping educational norms, ensuring that every student, regardless of their standing, receives the support and tools to chart their path toward success.

Michael Baptiste

Vice President of Diversity Equity and Inclusion // Metro Atlanta Chamber
Board Secretary

Misty Skedgell

Vice-President, Corporate Communications at Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Board Member

Erica Cummings

Community Volunteer, Former Educator
Board Member

Ladonna Murphy

Executive Director Market Director Banking // JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Board Member

Denesha Thompson

Associate Director, Programs Operations & Strategy, Leading Educators
Board Member

Nandi Dunn

Associate Media Manager, Strategic Planning & Process, The Home Depot
Board Member

Simeon Wallis

Chief Investment Officer // Partner Aprio Advisory Group, LLC
Board Member

Arthur Mills

Senior Vice President // Institutional Asset Management
Board Chair

Dayton Velarde

Attorney // Alston & Bird
Vice Chair

Evie Hightower

Associate General Counsel // Meta
Board Member

Fred Blackburn

Network Automation and Analytics // ATT
Board Member, Board Treasurer

Kate Breslin

Proposal Manager // North Highland
Board Member

Emeritus Board Members

A heartfelt thank you to our Emeritus Board Members at Next Gen. Your wisdom and dedication remain invaluable to our nonprofit, guiding our mission and empowering students.

Ian Cohen

TARA Education Technologies LLC
Founder of Next Generation Men and Women

Brian Sadler

Instructor // University of Georgia

Travis Salters

Boston College Law School J.D. Candidate
Founder of Next Generation Men and Women

Ben Sperling

Associate Brand Manager // Mars Wrigley
Founder of Next Generation Men and Women

Chris Thomas

Principal Team Leader // Chick-fil-A Corporate

Ashani O’Mard

Senior Vice President // Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership
Emeritus Board Members

Sabrina Serafin

Partner and National Practice Leader // Frazier & Deeter
Emeritus Board Member

Advisory Council

Our Advisory Council, composed of visionaries and industry leaders, guides our initiatives, amplifying our impact to nurture every student’s journey beyond limits.

Arlenis Almonte

Sr. Project Lead, Integrated Creative–Multicultural // Chick-fil-A

Jessica Johnson

Business Development Manager // Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Daniel L. Stahl

Smith + Howard - Principal // Assurance Quality Control

Sara Simonds

Manager, Talent // Deloitte

JP Ortiz

Writer and EcoEntrepreneur // The Wall Green Journal

Christen Wright

President // CDW Management Group
Board Member
Next Gen
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