The American Express NGen Leadership Award honors one accomplished nonprofit leader age 40 or under who has already demonstrated a significant impact in addressing society's critical needs. 

By recognizing the contributions of one transformative leader, this award raises the national profile and visibility of diverse leaders across the nonprofit and philanthropic community.

We invite you to learn more about the distinguished recipients and finalists of the American Express NGen Leadership Award.

2011 Recipient - Ai-jen Poo

The 2011 recipient was Ai-jen Poo, director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, a coalition of domestic workers in the United States who advocate for recognition and labor standards. Ai-jen’s approach to mobilizing is rooted in the belief that people must come together from a place of love and respect to improve the lives of all. Under her leadership, NDWA has grown from 13 organizations to more than 30 representing domestic workers in 17 cities across the country. NDWA has also worked closely with the International Labor Organization, the U.S. government, and AFL-CIO to approve the first international labor standards for domestic workers.

In 2012, A-jen was also named to Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Learn more about the 2011 finalists.

2010 Recipient - Darell Hammond

The 2010 recipient was Darell Hammond, co-founder and CEO of KaBOOM! -- a national nonprofit organization dedicated to saving play for America's children. Darell was inspired to start KaBOOM! just after he moved to Washington, D.C., at age 24, when he read a newspaper article about two local children who suffocated while playing in an abandoned car because they didn’t have anywhere else to play. Since Darell co-founded KaBOOM! in 1996, it has raised more than $165 million to support the construction of more than 1,800 playgrounds across the country. KaBOOM! has also pioneered free online resources and tools so communities can build playgrounds without its immediate involvement, a model that has spurred the construction of an additional 6,100 playgrounds.

Learn more about the 2010 finalists.