The Next Gen(D)eration Leadership Collective (NGLC), founded in 2020, is a group established on the recognition that current food and nutrition systems are unsustainable, unjust and lead to poor-quality diets globally. We believe that solutions for this problem already exist; what is mssing is the bold and courageous leadership necessary to implement them.
We emerged from a shared frustration among a group of women working in public health, food policy, food systems, and nutrition. Despite the urgent need to reform our food system, things are not improving, and inequalities continue to deepen challenges to human health, social equity, and environmental sustainability. We firmly believe that achieving the necessary transformations in what the world eats fundamentally requires profound transformations in leadership.
The purpose of NGLC is, therefore, to create a leadership movement for a world with adequate and healthy diets, sustained by transforming who leads and how. This aligns with the vision that gender equality is vital to unleash the necessary leadership practices, given that while women are the foundation of nutrition and food systems and the closest to the problems, we live in a world where men dominate decision-making.
To achieve this transformation, NGLC is committed to proactively adopting and strengthening its eight courageous leadership practices (see them below and in detail in our Manifesto), individually, within our workplaces, and broader food systems and nutrition networks.
These practices, which can be applied at any level of leadership and by all genders, aim to drive systemic and sustainable change. The Collective is dedicated to leading from where it is, sharing and supporting the development of these practices in others to generate collective impact.
We recognize that applying these practices is not an easy endeavor. In fact, due to various structural barriers, it often represents the more challenging path. This difficulty is particularly pronounced for women, whose efforts to assert these vital leadership practices are frequently impeded. It is essential that the power women already possess is met with robust opportunities to better influence decision-making, ultimately contributing to a well-nourished world for all.
We drive change in food and nutrition systems through interactive and collaborative initiatives. Our activities create a supportive environment where women can connect, share experiences, and develop their leadership skills. We believe that by joining forces, we can generate sustainable impact, break down barriers, and foster transformative leadership.
Among our initiatives are the ChangeMaker Connect Forums, virtual events that bring together hundreds of women from around the world to exchange experiences and share success stories. We also offer Pods, small groups of 4 to 6 women who meet regularly to provide mutual support and peer mentorship.We form strategic partnerships with organizations that share our values and beliefs. Each collaboration is designed to amplify impact, strengthen capacities, and foster innovation. Learn more about our partners.
We currently connect 86 members with professional experiences in 43 countries:
England, South Africa, United States of America, Israel, Australia, Iran, Uganda, Netherlands, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Belgium, Chile, Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Canada, Paraguay, Norway, India, Nepal, Ghana, France, Rwanda, Brasil, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Haiti, Peru, Malaysia, China, Mexico, Singapore, Russia, Thailand, Guatemala, Mozambique, New Zealand
