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Introducing the NextGen Chamber 2025 Annual Report

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 17:43:30 GMT

Introducing the NextGen Chamber 2025 Annual Report

A Year of Growth, Momentum, and the Future Economy

At NextGen Chamber of Commerce, 2025 was a year defined by momentum.

Across programs, partnerships, and platforms, we deepened our role as a national voice for emerging business and civic leaders—while continuing to reimagine what a modern chamber of commerce can and should be in a rapidly changing economy.

Today, we’re proud to share our 2025 Annual Report , which captures the impact, insights, and growth of the past year—and sets the stage for what comes next.

A Snapshot of 2025

The 2025 Annual Report reflects a year of measurable progress and strategic expansion, including:

National reach and engagement through multi-city convenings, research, and digital platforms
Flagship programs such as the NextGen Listening Tour, Youth Entrepreneurship Summit & Fellowship, and the Future Economy Series
Thought leadership outputs including white papers, policy insights, and cross-sector dialogue on the future of work, entrepreneurship, and economic inclusion
Stronger partnerships with foundations, corporations, and civic institutions aligned around inclusive economic growth
Organizational maturation , including governance strengthening, financial growth, and long-term strategic planning

This report is both a record of accountability and a statement of intent.

More Than a Retrospective

While annual reports often look backward, ours is designed to do more.

The 2025 Annual Report connects the dots between:

What emerging leaders are telling us about today’s economy
How institutions must adapt to meet the moment
Why digital equity, entrepreneurship, and leadership development are foundational to the future economy

It also introduces the broader arc of NextGen’s multi-year work—spanning regional research, policy engagement, and national convenings—designed to ensure emerging leaders are not just participating in the economy, but shaping it.

Built With Community, For Community

None of this work happens in isolation.

This report reflects the contributions of:

Our Board of Directors and Advisory Council
Program participants and community partners
Funders and sponsors who believe in long-term systems change
Emerging leaders across regions who continue to trust NextGen as a platform for their voices

We are deeply grateful for the collective commitment that made 2025 possible.

Looking Ahead

As we move into 2026, NextGen is entering a new phase—one focused on scale, evidence-building, and national impact.

The 2025 Annual Report offers a clear view of where we’ve been, why it matters, and how we’re positioning NextGen for the future.

We invite you to explore the report, share it with your networks, and continue building the future economy with us.

The Future Economy Webisode Series: Episode #4 Season Finale!

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:33:26 GMT

�� Season 1 Finale: Exploring AI and the Future Economy with Amazon’s Alli Auldridge

As we close out Season 1 of the Future Economy Series , we’re proud to release our final episode , focused on one of the most transformative forces shaping our economy today: artificial intelligence .

In this episode, we’re joined by Alli Auldridge of Amazon , who brings a thoughtful and grounded perspective on how AI is influencing business leadership, workforce development, innovation, and long-term economic growth. Together, we explore not just what AI can do—but what it should do when deployed responsibly and inclusively.

Throughout the conversation, Alli helps unpack:

How AI is already reshaping the way companies operate and make decisions
What emerging business leaders need to understand to stay competitive in an AI-driven economy
The importance of ethics, trust, and human-centered design as technology evolves
Why partnerships between the private sector and civic-minded organizations matter more than ever

This episode is a fitting close to a season that has examined the future of work, innovation, sustainability, and economic transformation through the lens of emerging leaders and forward-thinking institutions. We’re incredibly grateful to Amazon and all of our Season 1 guests for lending their time, expertise, and insights to help elevate this conversation.

What’s Next?

While this marks the end of Season 1, it’s only the beginning.

We’re excited to share that Season 2 of the Future Economy Series will launch in the new year , with even more conversations at the intersection of technology, policy, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth. Expect new voices, deeper dives, and continued exploration of how today’s decisions shape tomorrow’s economy.

Thank you to everyone who tuned in, shared episodes, and engaged with us throughout Season 1. Stay connected—and we’ll see you soon in Season 2.

�� Watch the Season 1 finale now and join the conversation about AI and the future economy.

The NextGen Narrative: Insights from Across America

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:38:03 GMT

Introducing The NextGen Narrative: A First-of-Its-Kind Look at Emerging Business Leaders and the Future Economy

Today, we are proud to release The NextGen Narrative, the first comprehensive report capturing the insights, pressures, priorities, and aspirations of emerging business leaders across the country. Built from our multi-city 2025 NextGen Listening Tour, this report reflects more than conversations. It reflects a movement.

Over the past year, our team traveled to Phoenix, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Denver, Minneapolis, and Seattle hosting roundtables, engaging small business owners, speaking with young professionals, and listening closely to the next generation of business leadership. Their experiences, their challenges, and their visions shaped every page of this report.

What We Heard: The Future Is Being Built From the Ground Up

Across cities and industries, emerging leaders described an economy in transition. They are operating at the intersection of rising costs, rapid technological change, shifting workforce expectations, and growing pressure to innovate responsibly. Yet, what stood out above all was their resilience and their desire to lead with purpose.

Three themes rise to the surface:

1. Digital Infrastructure Is Now Economic Infrastructure.
Access to digital tools, broadband, capital systems, and AI-enabled solutions directly shapes opportunities for growth—especially for small and emerging businesses.

2. The Future of Work Is Flexible, Skills-Driven, and Technology-Integrated.
Leaders emphasized the need for adaptable work models, continuous skill-building, and fair transitions into an AI-automated era.

3. Business Leadership & Innovation Require Values-Driven Decision-Making.
Emerging business leaders are calling for responsible governance, ethical innovation, community engagement, and a commitment to inclusive economic development.

These insights don’t just describe what is happening, they reveal what is possible.

Why This Matters

The economy is being remade in real time, and emerging business leaders are not passive observers. They are shaping new models, demanding better systems, and redefining what business leadership looks like.

Their voices must inform policy discussions, corporate strategy, workforce development, and investments in entrepreneurship ecosystems.

The NextGen Narrative captures this moment, and sets the foundation for what comes next.

What’s Inside the Report

The report includes:

New data and findings from six Listening Tour cities
Core pressures facing emerging business leaders today
City-specific insights and national trendlines
Themes across digital equity, AI & automation, cost pressures, workforce shifts, and leadership expectations
Recommendations to strengthen the emerging business leader economy
A forward pathway for research, programming, and partnerships leading into 2026 and beyond

This is more than a report. It is the blueprint guiding our next decade of work.

A Note of Gratitude

To every business owner, entrepreneur, early-career professional, student leader, and partner who contributed: thank you. Your honesty, your lived experiences, and your ideas shaped this work.

And to our NextGen community: this is your story. This is your narrative.

What Comes Next

With the release of The NextGen Narrative, we are launching:

A deeper research initiative examining regional differences from Appalachia to the West
Thought leadership, storytelling, and co-authored white papers with partners
Program expansions across youth entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, and leadership development

This is only the beginning.

Download & Share the Report

Help us elevate the voices of emerging business leaders.

Download The NextGen Narrative, share it with your networks, and join us in shaping a more inclusive, innovative, and forward-looking future economy.

The Future Economy Webisode Series: Episode #3!

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 16:10:51 GMT

Future Economy Webisode Series: Episode #3 – Preparing Our Emerging Leaders for the Future Economy

In Episode Three of the Future Economy Webisode Serie s presented by Amazon, we dive into how emerging business leaders are shaping the next wave of innovation — one that’s not just about technology, but about people, purpose, and possibility.

Hosted by the Gil Pontes, NextGen Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and joined by Shania Ross, Senior Program Manager, Seller External Relations , this episode spotlights the voices driving change across business, policy, and community. From the rise of digital entrepreneurship to the tools and mindsets redefining leadership in the 21st century, our conversation explores how innovation can, and must, serve inclusion and opportunity.

Key themes include:

How emerging leaders are adapting to rapid economic and technological transformation
What businesses can do to expand access and equity in innovation
Why collaboration between sectors is critical for sustainable growth

The Future Economy Series highlights real stories, data, and dialogue that illuminate how the next generation of business and civic leaders are building a more inclusive economy—region by region, sector by sector.

Watch Episode Three now and join the conversation shaping the Future Economy.

The Future Economy Webisode Series: Episode #2!

Sat, 16 Aug 2025 16:08:59 GMT

Future Economy Webisode Series: Episode #2 – Sustainability & Climate Pledge Friendly

We’re excited to announce the second installment of the Future Economy Webisode Series , presented by Amazon . This episode spotlights Sustainability & Climate Pledge Friendly , featuring insights from Cam Westfall .

Building a More Sustainable Future

Sustainability is no longer a choice - it’s a necessity for businesses, communities, and the planet. In this conversation, Cam Westfall dives into how Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program is helping companies make environmentally responsible decisions while ensuring customers can easily identify and support products that meet trusted sustainability standards.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

How Climate Pledge Friendly is reshaping consumer habits and encouraging innovation.
Practical steps businesses can take to integrate sustainability into their models.
Why sustainability and growth are not at odds, but deeply connected.
The role of emerging leaders in accelerating climate-forward solutions.

Why This Matters

As climate challenges intensify, business leaders are uniquely positioned to drive scalable impact. The Future Economy Webisode Series is designed to highlight actionable insights and fresh perspectives from experts shaping the next economy.

Watch Now

�� Tune in to Episode #2 here

Let’s reimagine the future economy—together.

Announcing Our Youth Entrepreneurship White Paper

Sat, 16 Aug 2025 14:44:54 GMT

We are excited to announce the release of our Youth Entrepreneurship White Paper , the culmination of our Flint project and a broader effort to center youth entrepreneurship in Michigan’s economic future.

Why This Matters

Michigan’s next generation of business leaders are key to building resilient, inclusive, and innovative local economies. Through the Flint project, we engaged directly with young entrepreneurs, community stakeholders, and partners to better understand both the opportunities and barriers facing youth as they launch and grow businesses. This white paper captures those insights and outlines pathways to ensure that Michigan continues to invest in its future leaders.

What’s Inside

The white paper explores:

Youth Voices in Action – Stories and perspectives from emerging entrepreneurs in Flint and across Michigan.
Opportunities for Growth – Strategies to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems, expand access to capital, and build networks of mentorship and support.
Digital & Civic Infrastructure – How technology and civic engagement can empower youth-led enterprises.
Policy & Practice Recommendations – Action steps for state and local leaders, investors, and community-based organizations to help young entrepreneurs thrive.

Looking Ahead

The Youth Entrepreneurship White Paper is more than a report—it’s a roadmap for building a stronger and more inclusive economy in Michigan. By centering the experiences of young people, we can create an environment where entrepreneurial talent is not only recognized, but nurtured and supported.

Download the White Paper Here

We invite you to explore the findings, share them with your networks, and join us in ensuring Michigan’s youth are positioned to lead in the economy of tomorrow.

Introducing the Future Economy Webisode Series Presented by Amazon

Thu, 08 May 2025 15:38:07 GMT

The NextGen Chamber of Commerce is proud to launch the Future Economy Webisode Series , presented by Amazon — a forward-looking digital series exploring the trends, innovations, and ideas that are shaping the economy of tomorrow.

In a rapidly shifting business landscape, this series offers a front-row seat to insights from leading voices in tech, commerce, workforce development, and policy. Each episode dives into a different sector of the evolving economy and how emerging leaders can stay ahead of the curve — or reshape it entirely.

We are thrilled to kick off the series with a powerful conversation on “The Role of E-Commerce in the Future Economy” featuring Joyce Rallanka , Director of NA Seller Success at Amazon. Joyce shares how e-commerce platforms are transforming how small businesses start, grow, and scale — and what the future holds for digital marketplaces, logistics, and consumer engagement.

From AI-driven fulfillment to equitable access for emerging sellers, Episode One offers a timely and relevant exploration of the economic opportunities (and challenges) created by a digital-first economy.

Join us as we chart a course through the trends shaping tomorrow — and empower the next generation of business leaders to thrive in the future economy.

�� Watch Episode One now and subscribe to stay updated on upcoming episodes featuring leaders across finance, tech, sustainability, and public policy.

nextgenchamber

Introducing the NextGen Chamber 2025 Annual Report

Introducing the NextGen Chamber 2025 Annual Report

A Snapshot of 2025

More Than a Retrospective

Built With Community, For Community

Looking Ahead

The Future Economy Webisode Series: Episode #4 Season Finale!

�� Season 1 Finale: Exploring AI and the Future Economy with Amazon’s Alli Auldridge

What’s Next?

The NextGen Narrative: Insights from Across America

Introducing The NextGen Narrative: A First-of-Its-Kind Look at Emerging Business Leaders and the Future Economy

﻿

What We Heard: The Future Is Being Built From the Ground Up

Why This Matters

What’s Inside the Report

A Note of Gratitude

What Comes Next

Download & Share the Report

The Future Economy Webisode Series: Episode #3!

Future Economy Webisode Series: Episode #3 – Preparing Our Emerging Leaders for the Future Economy

The Future Economy Webisode Series: Episode #2!

Future Economy Webisode Series: Episode #2 – Sustainability & Climate Pledge Friendly

Building a More Sustainable Future

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why This Matters

Watch Now

Announcing Our Youth Entrepreneurship White Paper

Why This Matters

What’s Inside

Looking Ahead

Introducing the Future Economy Webisode Series Presented by Amazon