2025 Future Leader Nomination

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Please complete the form below to nominate someone for the 2025 Future Leadership Program. Upon submitting the form, the nominee will be notified of their nomination.

    Nominations for the 2025 Future Leadership class will be accepted through Friday, September 20, 2024.

    To be eligible for nomination, the person must meet the following criteria:

    • Candidate must be a current employee of an NCA member company or qualified retail customer in a confections related role (candy, chocolate, gum and mints).
    • Candidate must be 40 years of age or younger as of January 1, 2025.
    • At least five (5) cumulative years of professional experience as of January 1, 2025. Professional experience could include internships and positions held at a family company.
    • At least three (3) years of cumulative experience working for a confectionery manufacturer, supplier or broker or in a related role at a retailer or distributor.
    • Candidate must aspire to executive leadership within the confectionery industry.
    • Candidate must demonstrate commitment and dedication to NCA and the confectionery industry.
    • Candidate must have the support of their employer to participate if selected.

    Future Leadership Program applications are reviewed by a committee made up of industry professionals, including past Future Leaders, based on the following criteria:

    • Leadership experience 
    • Examples of personal and professional development 
    • Writing and communication skills, as demonstrated in applicants’ essay submissions
    • Professionalism and the presentation of their application materials 

    Program policies:

    • A maximum of five (5) employees are permitted to apply from each NCA member company.
    • Members of the selection committee are not permitted to provide letters of recommendation for Future Leader applicants.  
    • Only one candidate from a member company can be selected to any one Future Leadership Class.

    For more information on these elements, view the weighting and criteria for each element of the application.

  • Who is submitting the nomination for the 2025 Future Leadership Program?

  • Who would you like to nominate for the 2025 Future Leadership Program?

Please complete the form below to nominate someone for the 2021 Future Leadership Program. Upon submitting the form, the nominee will be notified of their nomination. To be eligible for nomination, the person must meet the following criteria:

  • Candidates must be current employees of an NCA member company or qualified retail customer.
  • Candidates must be 40 years of age or under as of January 1, 2021.
  • Candidates must have at least three (3) cumulative years of experience in the confectionery industry as of January 1, 2021.
  • Candidates must demonstrate commitment and dedication to the confectionery industry.
  • Candidates must have aspirations for executive leadership within the confectionery industry.

  • Who is submitting the nomination for the 2021 Future Leadership Program?

  • Who would you like to nominate for the 2021 Future Leadership Program?

Applications for the 2025 Future Leadership class will be accepted through Friday, September 20, 2024.

Are You Eligible for the Future Leadership Program? 

We’re looking for emerging leaders who are committed to building a long-term career in the confectionery industry. To be considered, candidates must: 

  • Be employed by an NCA member company or a qualified retail customer
  • Be  40 years old or younger as of  January 1, 2027 
  • Have  at least 5 years of professional experience, including internships and roles within family businesses  
  • Have  a minimum of 3 years in a confectionery-related role  
  • Have the full  support of their employer* to participate in the program  

*Important Reminder:  While NCA covers registration fees for designated industry events, all travel, lodging, and other associated expenses are the responsibility of the Future Leader’s company.  Please confirm that you have approval to participate before applying. 

Program Guidelines  

  • Max of five (5) applicants per company  
  • Selection committee members may not provide recommendations for applicants  
  • Only one participant per company may be selected per year  

Please note:  Applications are evaluated and selected by a committee of industry peers. While NCA facilitates the evaluation process, it does not vote on or influence the selection of participants. For more information about the evaluation process, view the application evaluation weighting and criteria.