Giving Back Starts at the Heart: A Conversation with Lauren Holt

What inspired you to join NextGen Thriving’s Board of Directors, and how does it align with your personal values?

I joined Silver Tree Consulting in 2022, which gave me exposure to the mission of the Foundation and subsequently the opportunity to serve on its Board of Directors.

But what a lot of folks don’t know about me is that I grew up with a mother who served as a teacher for the state of North Carolina for 30 years, working with mentally and physically handicapped children. Growing up, I would volunteer with her in the summers at her school. So, the Foundation’s mission to serve underserved and underprivileged youth was close to my heart – starting at an early age. And I’ve continued to volunteer and give back to the community, even before I ever started working for Silver Tree.

Can you share a personal story or experience that influenced your decision to get involved?

The mission of NextGen Thriving is very personal to me.

Growing up, I had a cousin born mentally and physically handicapped. We lived about five miles away and visited our extended family often. When I was a teenager, my older sister and I even babysat him, and this was the start of my experience working with disabled youth. My cousin was very dear to us all – and he passed away in 2004.

What do you see as the biggest impact NextGen Thriving can have on the communities served through its Grantees?

The biggest impact I see is how it changes an individual’s perspective of what they are capable. What I mean by that is, often we lack the confidence or aren’t raised in an environment that promotes confidence in ourselves to achieve anything we put our minds to. A lot of rising youth go out into the world not knowing what they’re good at, or even capable of.

NextGen Thriving is making an impact by supporting these youth with life skills development. Giving them the confidence to change the trajectory of their lives and their families. Helping them believe they can really do what they never thought possible, just by learning a desirable, marketable skill. Think about our grantee, Code for Life – a New York City-based nonprofit organization that equips students with tangible life and technological skills to thrive.

In what ways have you contributed to the foundation’s mission during your time on the Board?

I wish I could say that I have been out on the front lines working directly with youth on life skills development – like our Grantees! But I’m proud to have contributed behind the scenes. As the Chief Financial Officer of Silver Tree Consulting and the Foundation’s Vice Chair, I make sure the financial operations of both entities are well-documented, reported, and compliant with all applicable laws. And I bring that information to our Board Meetings to keep everyone informed.

What accomplishments of the organization are you most proud of?

Just the mission itself and what the Foundation has been able to contribute to our grantee organizations over the past several years. We don’t just say we’re doing it – we can show the impact on young lives, to the point where they’re moldable, where they can make changes for themselves. As you get older, change gets harder, and life happens. Reaching these individuals when they’re younger makes all the difference. When they still have an opportunity to decide who they want to be.

And it is super encouraging to work for an organization (Silver Tree Consulting & Services) that does so much to give back to the community – way beyond what they are required to do based on their operating model. I mean how many for-profit companies can claim that they donate 50% of their profits to charity?!

How has being part of NextGen Thriving impacted your life personally or professionally?

It’s been rewarding both personally and professionally. Even though I often work behind the scenes, it still feels like I’m giving back in my own way to allow the organization to execute grants, to execute on funding, and project what the future holds in terms of financial forecasting, etc.

And as the CFO of Silver Tree, it is so rewarding knowing that I work for a company that gives back substantially to nonprofits. It’s a passion because they are putting their pocketbook (or wallet) where their mouth is.

What lessons have you learned from serving on the Board?

It’s not as easy as I thought it was going to be! You don’t just show up once a quarter to a Board Meeting, listen, and vote. You must do your homework, be prepared, and know what you’re voting on. It is not a simple yes or no. It takes a lot of thought and alignment across the team. I also must listen to my heart. When we evaluate grant applicants, we must ask ourselves, “Are they achieving the ultimate mission of NextGen Thriving?” So, this has been a huge learning curve, dissolving that false expectation that serving on a nonprofit board would be like pressing the easy button – because it’s not!

Have there been any particularly memorable moments or challenges you’ve faced in this role?

Going against the politically correct answer. In 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, we contemplated using funds to support that effort. This was a memorable moment for me because as much as I wanted to help Ukraine personally, I knew that it was not the right decision for the foundation. NextGen Thriving was always meant to remain focused domestically, serving local communities. So, changing the mission was a big decision. And it was not a popular decision – there were several of us that disagreed.

Where do you see NextGen Thriving in the next three to five years?

In 5 years, I see NextGen Thriving not only giving grants but executing on some of the work. I envision “our own team” more deeply invested, where we are working hands-on to partner with our grantees and help make decisions. I see the use of Silver Tree Services team helping to lead the cause, doing the teaching, training, whatever shape that takes. When I say “our own team” I mean Silver Tree Services employees giving back in some way – beyond a cash donation!

What do you hope to achieve in your time as a Board Member?

Well, as CFO of Silver Tree Consulting & Services, I hope to give a lot of money to NextGen Thriving! And that means ensuring that Silver Tree is so financially strong and profitable that executing on the vision articulated above is not even an issue. That’s what I’d like to achieve during my time serving on the Board of Directors.

How can others, whether individuals or businesses, support NextGen Thriving’s mission?

Beyond donating to the foundation, I see phase 1 as more individuals volunteer to get directly involved in programming for youth. Where we have a whole team getting their “sea legs” and starting to lead the effort. Now that we are officially a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation, we can develop and lead programming of our own!

Join the Movement

Why Fund NextGen Thriving?

• 100% of donations are allocated to our Grants Program thanks to our corporate sponsor, Silver Tree Consulting & Services and the generosity of our Founder, Richard C. Ricks
• An investment in NextGen Thriving is strengthening an ecosystem of high-impact nonprofits, driving sustainable, scalable change for historically marginalized youth
• Our Board of Directors is deeply engaged and 100% invested in the mission
• Demonstrated operational excellence through legal compliance, monthly financial reconciliation and expense tracking, Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statements submitted annually by the Board, and Standard Operating Procedures

Our Grants Program does more than fund organizations aligned with our mission—we invest in their long-term success. We have already made a measurable difference since our founding in 2020:

• $550,000 total funds disbursed to 4 nonprofit organizations
• 1,953 total youth (ages 16-24) engaged through our programming
• How We’re Preparing Youth for the Future
  • Vocational training in baking and coding languages, including Web Basics (HTML, CSS), JavaScript, React, Node.js, Mongo dB, Python and Machine Learning
  • Job placements and career training on financial capability, education and career support services
• Geographic Communities Served – Harlem, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Staten Island, New York; Atlanta, Georgia; Houston, Texas