SPAA Alumni Spotlight: Dan De Nose (MPA'15)
Name: Dan De Nose
SPAA MPA Graduation Year: 2015
Current Position: Founder and Executive Director of Leaders of the 21st Century
"My time at Rutgers SPAA was truly life changing. The mentorship, academic rigor, and willingness to support innovation helped me launch a mission-driven organization that’s now impacting hundreds of students each year. I owe so much of who I am as a leader to SPAA — it laid the groundwork for everything I’ve been able to build."
Please briefly describe your current position responsibilities:
As founder and executive director of Leaders of the 21st Century, I’ve dedicated my work to building more than just a program — I’ve built a movement. Our mission is to close the gap between potential and opportunity by equipping high school students with the tools, exposure, and mindset needed to thrive in college, careers, and leadership. Today, we serve over 650 students across New Jersey, with plans to reach over 1,000 this year. From personal branding and public speaking to networking and identity-affirming experiences, our workshops are intentionally designed to transform how students see themselves and their futures.
What sets our work apart is the level of care, excellence, and real-world relevance we bring to every experience. Students aren’t just learning — they’re stepping into their power. We’ve helped young people land internships, write powerful mission statements, build mentor networks, and discover their voice as leaders. Superintendents across the state have called our program “transformational” and “essential,” and we’re proud to be a trusted partner in reimagining what student development looks like — especially in under-resourced districts.
My role includes leading a dynamic team, expanding partnerships, writing grants, and driving the strategic vision as we scale. But more than anything, I’m in the business of building belief — in our students, our educators, and our communities.
Please briefly describe your career path:
My journey has always been guided by purpose — to uplift, serve, and create access to opportunities that many may not have known were possible. I began my career as an aide to Senator Cory Booker during his second term as Mayor of Newark, where I gained invaluable insight into the power of leadership, public service, and community transformation. From there, I transitioned into the human resources department at Prudential, and later into the nonprofit sector, where I focused on empowering parents to become stronger advocates for their children’s academic success. That path led me to the Newark Board of Education, where I managed a team of over 21 parent liaisons within the Office of Family and Community Engagement. There, we saw parents not just as supporters, but as essential partners in shaping their children’s futures.
A defining chapter in my journey came through a USAID Research & Innovation Fellowship, which gave me the opportunity to live and work in Cape Town, South Africa, through Rutgers Graduate School. During that time, I conducted research on improving STEAM education for afterschool programs in underserved communities. That global experience expanded my worldview and deepened my commitment to designing educational models that are rooted in equity, access, and identity-affirming practices.
Driven by that vision, I launched Leaders of the 21st Century — a youth development organization that now serves over 650 high school students across New Jersey. Our mission is simple, yet powerful: to equip the next generation with the tools, mindset, and exposure they need to thrive. This passion also inspired me to write my book, The Power of Exposure: Lessons of Success from Highly Effective Mentors, which became a #1 New Release on Amazon. Every step of my journey has reinforced one truth: when young people are given access and belief, their potential becomes unstoppable.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your journey?
The most rewarding aspect of my journey — both professionally and personally — has been witnessing transformation happen in real time. Whether it’s a student stepping up to a microphone for the first time, a parent realizing their voice matters, or a young leader finally seeing their worth — those moments remind me why I do this work. I’ve had the honor of serving in government, education, corporate, and nonprofit spaces, but what unites it all is the privilege of helping people see themselves with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
And as a father, this work hits even deeper. I have skin in the game — not just professionally, but personally. I’m not building programs for statistics or resumes. I’m building a future that I want my own children — and every child across this country — to thrive in. The decisions I make, the programs I lead, and the lives I touch are all rooted in the belief that our children deserve a world that’s equipped for them. A world that affirms their identities, develops their gifts, and gives them real access to opportunity.
That’s the real reward for me. Knowing that the seeds I’m planting now — through Leaders of the 21st Century, through mentorship, and through purpose-driven work — will grow into bold, brilliant leaders who are ready to shape the future. That’s legacy. And that’s what drives me every single day.
Why are you excited about your work?
I’m deeply excited about my work because I know firsthand what it feels like to be overlooked and counted out. As a student, I struggled — earning F’s and D’s, caught in a cycle of detentions, suspensions, and fights. There was a time when graduating middle school felt out of reach. Yet today, I have the honor of leading an organization that empowers students from all backgrounds and ethnicities across New Jersey — helping them see that anything is possible.
What drives me is the transformation — both in the young people we serve and within myself. Every day, I get to do the work I wish had existed for me: work that speaks life into students, gives them access and exposure, and reminds them of their untapped greatness. It brings me deep joy and gratitude to be that source of possibility.
Doing this work full time is a blessing I don’t take lightly. It’s personal. It’s a calling. And it’s proof that your past does not define your future — your purpose does. That’s what excites me every single day.
What are you proudest of in your leadership role(s)?
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is our Saturday Fellowship Program — a powerful partnership with NJIT’s Center for Pre-College Programs and Educational Talent Search. This collaboration provides students with access to SAT prep, tutoring, college tours, and other essential resources that help bridge the opportunity gap. After completing the two-year fellowship, students receive scholarship funds to support their college goals. Since our first cohort 10 years ago, every single graduate has been accepted into college — including institutions like NJIT, Rutgers, Tuskegee, Harvard, George Washington University, and even the U.S. Army. It's a powerful reminder of what’s possible when students are given the right exposure and support.
Celebrating our 10th anniversary in 2025 is another proud milestone. Two years ago, we received a three-year $150,000 matching grant. With the support of our community and donors, we met the match in the first two years — and I’m committed to doing the same in this final year. It reflects the trust our supporters have in the work we’re doing and the futures we’re helping to shape.
But what humbles me most is our growth — from five students in the basement of my church to now serving over 650 students across New Jersey every year. This impact is made possible by strong partnerships with Newark Youth Career Pathways and school districts in Newark, Hillside, Plainfield, and Orange. Watching our mission grow in reach and impact has been the most rewarding part of this journey.
What motivated you to pursue an MPA (with a concentration in public administration)?
My motivation to pursue an MPA with a concentration in public administration was rooted in my undergraduate experience at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. As a student, I had the unique opportunity to sit on the Board of Trustees and even design my own major, The Rhetoric of Leadership. Those experiences opened my eyes to what effective administration really looks like — leaders who not only have vision, but also the skill and structure to bring that vision to life.
It became clear to me that if I wanted to build and sustain my own organization one day, I needed more than passion — I needed the technical knowledge and leadership training that only a top-tier program could offer. That’s what led me to Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration. For me, it wasn’t just about earning a degree; it was about becoming the kind of administrator who could lead with both purpose and excellence.
It also meant that I had to excel as a student. In 2014, I was honored with the Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration 4.0 Academic Excellence Award, graduated in 2015 with a 3.857 GPA, and was inducted into the Phi Alpha Alpha Honor Society.
How do you think SPAA has prepared you for or influenced the way(s) you perform your role or pursue professional endeavors?
SPAA played a pivotal role in shaping how I approach leadership and professional growth. When I started the program, I knew I wanted to build my own organization one day — but I never imagined I’d actually start it while still a student.
For my final capstone, we were tasked with selecting an existing nonprofit to research and support through a thesis project. But I felt called to do something different. I approached my advisor and said, “What if instead of researching another organization, I research and build my own?” He told me it had never been done before at SPAA — but after checking with leadership, I was granted approval.
That experience changed everything. The research I conducted became the foundation for my nonprofit, confirming what I had long believed: getting into college is not enough — we must also equip young people with the tools to succeed during and after college. While many programs focused on college access, few addressed the critical skills needed to thrive beyond graduation.
Because of SPAA, I was able to design a comprehensive model that now serves as the foundation of our curriculum. It includes essential workshops like Networking 101, Building a Team of Mentors, Code Switching with Confidence, Effective Communication, How to Draft and Send Follow-Up Emails, and Leading Movements on Campus. What began as capstone research has grown into real-world programming that equips students with the skills they need to thrive in college and beyond.
My time at Rutgers SPAA was truly life changing. The mentorship, academic rigor, and willingness to support innovation helped me launch a mission-driven organization that’s now impacting hundreds of students each year. I owe so much of who I am as a leader to SPAA — it laid the groundwork for everything I’ve been able to build.
What advice would you give to a SPAA student or graduate in your field?
My advice to any SPAA student or graduate is simple — start now. Don’t wait until you feel fully ready or until everything is perfectly in place. If you have an idea, a calling, or a passion to make a difference, take the first step today. SPAA equips you with the tools, network, and knowledge — but it’s on you to apply them and build from there.
Also, take full advantage of the incredible people around you. When I first arrived on campus, I didn’t know anyone. But by the time I left, I had built lifelong friendships and relationships that continue to pour into my life and career. Your classmates, professors, and staff aren’t just part of your journey — they’re part of your foundation. Seek out mentors, lean into collaboration, and never underestimate the power of genuine connection.
Most of all, remember leadership isn’t about a title — it’s about impact. Use what you’ve learned to be a voice, a solution, and a light wherever you go.