For Batten student Ben Stolz (MPP ’20), leadership can mean different things to different people, but the one unifying aspect is that leadership requires a certain level of passion.

This is what drew Stolz to launch the first-ever Virginia chapter of the New Leaders Council (NLC), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting and educating the next generation of thought leaders. Stolz, who joined Batten in 2018 following a decade of work as an educator, community organizer, and a variety of roles on campaigns at every level of government, was searching for a community that would complement his leadership and policy interests—those same interests that initially led him to Batten.

“I was looking for something to believe in professionally but also something that would allow me to personally grow and also give back,” said Stolz. “New Leaders Council is more a community than just a professional network. While the opportunities for professional training and development are immense, the thing that sets NLC apart is the community it provides. That’s what ultimately appealed to me.” 

NLC has 50 chapters nationwide. The Virginia chapter, which Stolz spearheaded this year with nine other board members, is one of the newest chapters to date and has attracted a diverse group of individuals across the state—all united in their desire to make a positive impact on society. 

“I was drawn to NLC’s commitment to leadership training and development,” said Stolz. “NLC offers more than just one weekend or one weekly leadership boot-camp. It’s a long-term commitment—it’s a diverse community for professional development as much as it is for personal growth.”

One of the perks of NLC is that it offers fellowships.

“Becoming [an NLC] fellow helps you build a community locally and nationally. NLC has built a national network of progressive millennials for nearly 15 years. It now has 50 chapters across the country,” said Stolz. “As a result of its training and community/network, many fellows have become established leaders in a variety of sectors - elected officials, starting their own ventures, or moving up at their current organization - and have been recognized for their work in national periodicals.”

This is what appealed to one of the NLC Virginia chapter’s newest fellows: Batten alum Maggie Anderson (MPP ’18).

“During our first fellows weekend, we wrote down personal and professional goals,” said  Anderson. “Goals ranged from ‘I want to get out in nature more’ to ‘I want to write a book proposal.’ Each fellow put their goal on a board and then NLC members came up and picked a fellow to help with their goal. After one weekend, you can see that there’s a real support system.”

Anderson, who previously worked in D.C. for Senator Mark Warner, moved to Richmond earlier this year to work as a policy analyst for the Mayor’s Office. “I knew no one in Richmond when I first arrived,” said Anderson. “NLC has helped me find a community, have a support system while giving me the extra tools—leadership and development skills that I can leverage in my day-to-day to work with the mayor’s office in a way I did not expect.”

Millennials will soon be the largest living adult generation. Keeping that in mind, Millennials have a unique opportunity to truly impact American institutions and society at large. NLC views itself as the hub for progressive Millennial thought and believes that through a lifetime commitment to leadership, and the community that comes with it, the organization can help prepare the next generation of leaders, policymakers, and thoughtful citizens interested in making a positive impact.

“I think if we want to move forward in the world and create real change, then we need organizations that are able to bring together a diverse group of people,” said Anderson. “NLC is such a diverse group, which I love. Despite our different backgrounds, we are all united in our desire to make a positive change—that’s what I like.”