Next Gen Now Summit Speaker Spotlight: Christopher Williams

On October 30, the Next Gen Now Summit takes place virtually and in-person in Washington DC. Featuring 25 thought leaders, policy experts, and community innovators, the Summit is focused on solving critical challenges at the intersection of work, education, and leadership.

XYZ University's CEO, Sarah Sladek, organized the Summit to gather and share best practices on workforce trends, engagement strategies, and reaching the next generation. Speakers include leaders from organizations trailblazing the future -- and over the course of the next two weeks, we're featuring insights from the amazing line-up of speakers here on our blog.  

Stay tuned! And for more information or to register, visit: https://nextgennowsummit.com/.

Christopher Williams is the CEO of STEM U LLC

What inspired you to focus on generational engagement and inclusive leadership?

Working in STEM education and workforce development, I’ve had the privilege of building

programs that serve everyone, from students just discovering STEM to industry

professionals reshaping the field. I quickly recognized the generational divide between

older professionals with deep experience and younger talent seeking relevance, purpose,

and flexibility. My emphasis on inclusive leadership arose from the need to bridge that gap

and ensure we’re not just preparing students to enter the workforce but also designing

ecosystems where all generations can thrive together.

Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your approach to building

inclusive cultures?

One moment that stands out is when we launched a STEM mentorship initiative that paired

industry professionals with high school students interested in engineering and drone

technology. What surprised many was how much both groups learned from each other.

Students gained technical insights and life skills, while seasoned professionals were

challenged to see STEM through a fresh, new lens. That moment reshaped how I design

learning environments; I now prioritize collaboration across generations as a core element

of any successful culture.

What key takeaway do you hope attendees gain from your presentation?

I want attendees to walk away with actionable strategies for creating generationally

inclusive systems, whether in schools, nonprofits, or the industry. We’ll discuss how STEM

can serve as the common ground that connects generations and how we can use

innovation as the universal language that speaks to all of them.

In your view, what is the most pressing challenge organizations face in engaging

younger generations today?

Many organizations are still trying to fit next-gen talent into outdated structures. The real

challenge is shifting from compliance to connection. Today’s students and young

professionals aren’t just looking for jobs, they’re searching for purpose, autonomy, and the

ability to create. In STEM fields, especially, if we don’t demonstrate how they fit into the

future, we risk losing them to industries or companies that do.

What emerging trends do you believe will significantly impact intergenerational

collaboration in the next five years?

We’re going to see a few major shifts:

1. AI integration in education and the workplace will necessitate new levels of

collaboration and upskilling among different age groups.

2. Credentialing through nontraditional pathways such as micro-certifications and

practical training in drones, robotics, and data science.

3. Younger leaders are stepping into senior roles earlier, pushing us to redefine what

leadership looks like.

These trends will compel us to think beyond age and titles, focusing instead on skills,

values, and shared goals.

Have any questions of your own that you are wishing to be answered? Fill out this form, and we’ll get a response to you as soon as possible! 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlHKq380ZrmnlqahzSmTDPYe1me8FnT-KQlJ8NpXyb7XDfGg/viewform?usp=dialog