Emerging Leader Award

The Emerging Leader Award is presented to an exceptional individual who has been a member with less than 2 years involvement with NextUp. This leader has demonstrated their commitment to NextUp’s mission by opening minds, developing capacity and creating opportunities for others.

Nomination Process: Open to all NextUp members who can nominate any member other than themselves.

Criteria

The nominee must have made a significant contribution to NextUp in their first 1-2 years as a member. The nominee must have shown outstanding promise for continuing service and leadership.

2024 Award Winner

Michelle Forlenza, NextUp Cincinnati

From the first moment she met the leaders in her NextUp region, they knew Michelle was “destined to lead.” Since joining NextUp Cincinnati, she’s led successful events including a summer intern gathering and premier events that engaged hundreds of CPG leaders.

In addition to her demanding volunteer leadership roles within NextUp, our winner has achieved personal milestones at the same time, including a promotion at work, planning her wedding, and training for her first Strong Man Competition. Her resilience, innovation, and dedication to building community have sparked her peers to recognize her as a rising leader in the region.

Previous Winners

2023 Recipients

  • Shelly Anwyll, NextUp Toronto
  • Christy Bywell, NextUp Southern California

2022 Recipients

  • Emma Luten, NextUp Twin Cities
  • Jamie Martinez, NextUp Pacific Northwest

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