Big futures.
Real connections.

CO-FOUNDER & RESEARCHER

Derek Graffeo

Harrison High School · Class of 2028

Derek co-founded NXT UP TEENS after recognizing that students are often asked to choose classes and academic pathways before they fully understand the careers those decisions may lead toward. Although he had long described finance as his intended field, he wanted to understand the work behind it—and help other students move beyond a career title to see what a profession actually involves.

Within NXT UP TEENS, Derek identifies potential speakers and partners, establishes event venues, manages outreach, conducts website and program research, and helps guide the organization’s growth. Conversations with professionals have strengthened his interest in business and finance while teaching him to communicate with greater purpose, confidence, and professionalism.

Derek believes NXT UP TEENS is different because students do more than listen: when possible, they can earn opportunities to shadow professionals and experience the work firsthand. The most meaningful part of each Career Night for him is hearing the thoughtful and varied questions students bring into the room.

As NXT UP TEENS’ researcher, Derek is developing pre-event and post-event surveys to study how direct career exposure may relate to students’ knowledge, confidence, and understanding of possible career paths. Follow the research.

Outside NXT UP TEENS, Derek is a co-founder of Hoops for Hope NY and serves as treasurer of the Junior Pediatric Cancer Foundation. He hopes to develop NXT UP TEENS into a scalable model that can help schools give students meaningful career exposure before they make decisions that may shape their futures.

CO-FOUNDER

Hailey Graffeo

Harrison High School · Class of 2027

Hailey co-founded NXT UP TEENS after seeing how many students were expected to think about their futures without enough opportunities to understand what different careers actually involve. Her experience working at Mixology gave her a firsthand look at the people, decisions, and daily operations behind a business—and made her want other students to have access to that same kind of perspective.

Recognizing that there was no comparable career-exploration program in the local community, Hailey helped turn that need into a space where students could meet professionals, ask direct questions, and learn how careers work beyond their job titles. Her perspective continues to keep NXT UP TEENS focused on experiences that are practical, personal, and relevant to the decisions students face.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Benjamin Schenk

Harrison High School · Class of 2028

Benjamin serves as Director of Operations for NXT UP TEENS, helping transform the organization’s ideas into organized, student-focused experiences. He supports the planning and coordination behind Career Nights so that each event gives students a clear and welcoming way to explore the people, responsibilities, and decisions connected to a profession.

As NXT UP TEENS grows, Benjamin helps strengthen the structure behind its programming and keeps the details of each experience moving forward. His role reflects the organization’s belief that meaningful career exposure depends on thoughtful preparation, strong communication, and a team committed to creating opportunities for other students.

DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH

Jackson Blane

Jackson serves as Director of Outreach for NXT UP TEENS, helping expand awareness of Career Nights and connect the organization with students, families, schools, professionals, and community partners.

His work helps more students discover upcoming experiences, understand how to participate, and share the career fields they want NXT UP TEENS to explore next.