After over three decades in the field of education and eight years leading CEOs of Tomorrow Inc., Dr. Roxie Hentz announced her retirement on Friday.
Hentz posted on social media that she was stepping down as founding executive director of CEOs of Tomorrow in January to “retire and embrace the next chapter of my journey.”
“As I prepare for retirement, this organization has been my most recent life’s passion, and saying goodbye is both humbling and bittersweet,” Hentz said in a YouTube video posted to social media on Friday. “Over the past eight years, CEOs of Tomorrow has grown into a powerful force for change, igniting the entrepreneurial experience and guiding them towards building a brighter future. Together, we’ve created a community of innovators and visionaries who are using their talents to build businesses and make a real difference in the world.”
Founded in 2016, CEOs of Tomorrow has a mission to inspire youth to unlock their entrepreneurial gifts and use them to make the world a better place. The non-profit offers programming and products that teach and nurture social entrepreneurship, inspiring youth to transform the world through business solutions that help people, environments, and communities in need.
“Watching our youth turn their ideas into action has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Under the collective effort of a remarkable team, we’ve established 12 youth entrepreneurship programs that have impacted the lives of over 600 youth, both here and abroad,” Hentz said. “Together, they have launched hundreds of businesses and tackled numerous social issues, proving that the future is bright when we invest in the next generation of leaders. Our mission has always been to empower young minds to dream big and I am deeply proud of the lasting impact we’ve made.”
Hentz has had many awards and recognitions including the 2024 Business Forum Athena Award, Fulbright Distinguished Teacher Award, MOST (Madison Out-Of-School Time) Outstanding Youth Worker Award, Jammin’ 98.3 Black History Maker Award, V100 Radio’s Positively People, Wisconsin’s Economic Teacher of the Year, and being named one of Wisconsin’s Most Influential Black Leaders by Madison365.
Hentz said that she’s “confident that the future of CEOs of Tomorrow is strong, the team is committed, the vision is bold, and the legacy of innovation and empowerment will continue to grow.”
“I want to thank you all so much for your unwavering support, belief in our mission, and for making a chapter of my life so meaningful. I’ll always cherish the memories, accomplishments and especially the friendships that have shaped my journey with CEOs of Tomorrow.”
