Next Gen Now Summit Speaker Spotlight: Khalil Roy
- Katelyn Sladek
- 3 days ago
- 3 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/.
Khalil Roy is an award-winning educator and United Nations representative.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your approach to building inclusive cultures?
One pivotal moment in my career was starting the College awareness Club at my previous school after realizing how many students lacked access to college and career resources. Seeing students from different backgrounds come together, support one another, and find their voice showed me the power of creating spaces where everyone feels they belong. That experience taught me the importance of intentionally building inclusive opportunities that recognize and uplift every student’s potential.
What is one misconception about generational dynamics that you'd like to debunk?
One big misconception is that the younger generation doesn’t care or isn’t willing to work hard. The truth is, they just operate differently and bring new ideas and energy that older generations sometimes don’t understand at first. Once we stop judging and start listening, we see how powerful that mix of experience and innovation can really be. As an educator I connect to them and younger generations because I actually listen and connect with them.
How does your upcoming session align with the summit's mission to foster belonging across generations?
My upcoming session aligns with the summit’s mission by focusing on empowering future generations to confidently use their voices. It’s not just about encouraging them to speak, but also about making sure others truly listen and value what they have to say. When every generation feels heard and respected, real belonging and connection can happen and together, we can do some extraordinary things. We have work to do!!!
What emerging trends do you believe will significantly impact intergenerational collaboration in the next five years?
I would say some of the trends will definitely be centered around social media platforms. The upcoming generation communicates through and with social media. We’re seeing a major cultural shift toward people sharing their lived experiences and embracing a “right in the moment” era. There’s also a growing push for diversity, and this generation truly wants to include everyone, they’re not afraid to speak up and advocate for what they believe in. We can learn from this and grow with the upcoming generations.
How can leaders cultivate environments where all generations feel valued and heard?
Leaders need to create and maintain an environment where all generations feel valued and heard. They should provide spaces where people feel safe to speak up and share their opinions, not just for the sake of change, but simply to have a voice in the matter. It’s important to recognize people for their uniqueness and the strengths they bring to the table. We have to move away from the “I know it all” mindset and promote collaboration instead. Leaders should also truly listen to their people, lead with empathy, and help build a space where everyone feels like they belong and are safe to grow and thrive.
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