Next Gen Now Summit Speaker Spotlight: Jahnavi Rao
- Katelyn Sladek
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
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/.
Jahnavi Rao is a talent and recruiting consultant.
What inspired you to focus on generational engagement and inclusive leadership?
At 16, I felt helpless. After the 2016 election, decisions were made that affected my generation more than any other, and I felt helpless and unheard. After seeing my peers on both sides frustrated at our apparent lack of importance to politicians, I resolved to get involved and dedicate my life to activating and empowering the youth.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your approach to building inclusive cultures?
In 2023, I conducted a listening tour of 30+ youth-serving entities, HS students and teachers to understand their experiences in high school voter registration. Almost every person I spoke with lamented the lack of rigorous evaluation of high school voter registration methods, and were often unsure about the efficacy of their own programs and the underlying drivers of youth civic participation. This realization made it clear to me how essential it is to include youth voices in shaping youth-centered programming and research.
What is one misconception about generational dynamics that you'd like to debunk?
“Gen-Z are apathetic.” Traditional media and pundits that analyze youth behavior look at how young people vote at half the rate of their older counterparts and write us off as unengaged and uncaring about the future. But that could not be further from the truth.The problem is young people are underserved: civic education is limited, voting laws for first-timers can be confusing, and practical barriers such as lack of transportation or long voting lines tend to discourage potential voters.
What key takeaway do you hope attendees gain from your presentation?
That young people have the capacity to do anything - you just have to give them the opportunity.
How can leaders cultivate environments where all generations feel valued and heard?
Young people have endless capacity, and when trusted and included in decision-making they will rise to the occasion. Leaders must provide oversight and clear instruction to build confidence in their youngest members, all while empowering them to make their own decisions and trust that their unique perspective is invaluable.
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