(WASHINGTON, October 2, 2009) -- Independent Sector is pleased to announce the selection of its first class of American Express NGen Fellows. Recognizing that the leaders of tomorrow are already making important contributions today, Independent Sector launched the American Express NGen Fellows Program this year to honor 12 under-40 leaders at IS member organizations. This selective fellowship program is designed to help build the next generation of nonprofit and philanthropic pacesetters as part of IS’s NGen: Moving Nonprofit Leaders from Next to Now initiative.

The inaugural American Express NGen Fellows are an accomplished and diverse group that have increased the impact of their organizations and contributed to the broader nonprofit and philanthropic community. Together, these 12 emerging leaders bring tremendous experience and admirable dedication to the common good.

The 2009 American Express NGen Fellows are:

• Bridget Clark Whitney, executive director, Kids’ Food Basket
• David McKinney, vice president of programs, Public Allies
• Kevin Bolduc, vice president of assessment tools, The Center for Effective Philanthropy
• Larry Smith, director, Third Millennium Initiative, Indiana University Center on Philanthropy
• Maya Enista, chief executive officer, Mobilize.org
• Monica Maggiano, director, Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America, Catholic Charities USA
• Neel Hajra, president and CEO, Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW)
• Rahsaan Harris, program executive, The Atlantic Philanthropies
• Roopal Saran, director of client services, KaBOOM!
• Scott Beale, CEO and founder, Atlas Service Corps
• Toby Chalberg, chief strategy officer and VP of public policy, Points of Light Institute
• Trish Tchume, director of civic engagement, The Building Movement Project (Demos)

This exciting new program offers these 12 professionals a rare opportunity to magnify their impact and accelerate their careers. They will have online and in-person opportunities to collaborate with other talented emerging leaders, interact with seasoned leaders, and contribute to addressing the critical challenges facing the nonprofit and philanthropic community.

“We are extremely proud to work with this talented and diverse group of leaders who are poised to lead the charitable community into 2020 and beyond,” said IS President and CEO Diana Aviv. “These talented people have already demonstrated a commitment to advancing our community and have established a track record of high-impact contributions for the common good. We know their experience as American Express NGen fellows will only help further their commitment and increase their ability to improve lives.”

“American Express is pleased to support Independent Sector’s NGen program,” said Timothy McClimon, president of the American Express Foundation, which is the lead sponsor of the American Express NGen Fellows Program. “A major focus of our philanthropic program is developing the leaders of tomorrow, and we look forward to the continuing contributions of the Fellows to the nonprofit sector."

“This program’s goal is to build the capacity of the emerging leaders who will shape the future of the nonprofit community,” said J.D. Hokoyama, president and CEO of Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics and chair of the American Express NGen Fellows Selection Committee. “Programming at the 2009 IS/Council of Michigan Foundations Annual Conference in Detroit, interaction with senior IS leaders, and participation in a six-month Fellows Project will all serve to strengthen their skills and professional networks while giving them more visibility on a national level.”

The American Express NGen Fellows Program, sponsored by American Express, is a six-month fellowship, anchored by the IS/CMF Annual Conference in Detroit November 4-6.

Learn more about the 2009 NGen Fellows.

Independent Sector is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of approximately 550 charities, foundations, and corporate giving programs, collectively representing tens of thousands of charitable groups in every state across the nation. Its mission is to advance the common good by leading, strengthening, and mobilizing the nonprofit and philanthropic community.