The National AfterSchool Association (NAA) has selected Jesse Esquivel, Camp Coordinator at Camp Woodcraft, as one of NAA’s 2025 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders. This award recognizes young leaders in the out-of-school time field who have a proven passion for the development of themselves and others and who demonstrate persistence in their work to grow as leaders in afterschool. In addition, honorees are active in the broader afterschool community, demonstrate contributions that have started to influence beyond individual programs to entire organizations and communities, and are actively engaged in efforts to elevate the afterschool field.
“At the National AfterSchool Association, we understand the connection between program quality and positive youth outcomes — a connection that can only be facilitated by strong leadership and a thriving workforce,” said Gina Warner, Chief Executive Officer of NAA. “By supporting emerging leaders, we are supporting the workforce of the future, and we are excited about how these emerging leaders make their mark on their organizations and the broader afterschool profession.”
Out of over 100 nominations, 28 emerging professionals 30 years of age and younger were selected for this year’s honor, including Jesse Esquivel of Woodcraft Rangers. The entire cohort will be recognized at NAA’s national 2025 Convention in Nashville in March. Additionally, they will be profiled in a feature story in the National AfterSchool Association’s biannual magazine, AfterSchool Today. View a digital edition of the magazine here this March.
An estimated 7.8 million young people participate in afterschool programs each year, and the industry employs an estimated 850,000 professionals and leaders. The National AfterSchool Association is the leading professional membership for those who work in out-of-school time and afterschool programs. As an association, NAA seeks to foster positive youth outcomes by supporting, developing, and advocating for afterschool professionals and leaders. Learn more about the National AfterSchool Association at naaweb.org.