Inspiring the Next Generation of Community-Minded Leaders

Dr. Roxie Hentz founded CEOs of Tomorrow in 2016, bringing with her 25 years of experience as an educator, mentor, and nonprofit leader. Driven by a deep commitment to equity and excellence in education, Dr. Hentz launched CEOs of Tomorrow to provide rigorous, relevant curriculum and entrepreneurial opportunities for youth—especially those historically underrepresented. She saw social entrepreneurship as a transformative tool to address racial achievement and wealth gaps, empowering young people to become critical thinkers, bold innovators, and leaders in their communities. Under her visionary leadership, CEOs of Tomorrow became a national model for social entrepreneurship education, equipping youth with the skills and confidence to create businesses that make a positive impact.

Dr. Hentz’s tenure was marked by groundbreaking initiatives that propelled CEOs of Tomorrow to success. The organization’s first program, a four-week college-level course piloted in 2016, evolved into the International Academy, reaching students not only across the U.S. but also in Qatar, Botswana, Spain, and The Gambia. In 2017, the organization expanded into a full-time operation offering an additional three youth programs. By 2019, she led the launch of our popular Global Excursions Program which takes our teen entrepreneurs to developing countries where they collaborate with local teens to support them in developing small business ideas that address community needs and create economic opportunities.  In 2020, CEOs of Tomorrow launched its trademarked imPACTful Creations, hands-on business kits now sold to  schools across the country with consistent five-star reviews from educators. By the time of Dr. Hentz’s retirement in 2025, the organization had grown to offer five core programs for teens, including two youth employment initiatives, two international programs, a summer business camp, and multiple school-based programs in Madison and Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Her leadership as the Founder of CEOs of Tomorrow earned widespread recognition, including the 2021 Force for Positive Change Award, the ATHENA Leadership Award, YWCA Madison’s Women of Distinction Award, and named one of Wisconsin’s Most Influential Black Leaders by Madison365. Dr. Hentz’s legacy continues to inspire young entrepreneurs and change-makers around the world.

Social entrepreneurship, or creating a business to address pressing issues and benefit society, transforms youth into critical thinkers who dream big, make courageous decisions, and inspire good will. Through social entrepreneurship education, our youth not only learn business ownership, but also become leaders and team players, practice problem-solving, grow their confidence, and unlock their creativity.

We work to ensure rich diversity among the youth enrolled in our programs, with an emphasis on those facing the economic, educational, and racial disparities evident in achievement and employment gaps throughout our country and around the world.

*Data reflects our year-round teen programs; does not include our two-week summer camp