We believe
Our Mission
We build belonging at the intersection of social good.
For over a decade, we’ve partnered with a wide range of social impact organizations to help mobilize movements and amplify impact.
Our skilled team of consultants, strategists, and marketing experts works together to craft data-informed, human-centered solutions.
Our Values-Driven Approach
Collaboration
We achieve ambitious goals together.
Belonging
We champion inclusive practices to celebrate diversity and encourage authenticity.
Equity
We advocate for the dismantling of systemic barriers that limit fairness and opportunity for all.
People-Centeredness
& Proximity
We prioritize a listening-first approach and promote community-informed solutions.
Integrity
We uphold values-aligned processes that demonstrate our commitment to each other and the communities we serve.
Meet the Team
Jalah Blackmon
Director, Impact for Health
With a background in public health education and nonprofit program management, Jalah uses a social justice and health equity lens to lead Impact for Health initiatives at Next Stage, helping to challenge systemic barriers to wellness. She’s also the cofounder of The Black Light Foundation, a 501(c)3, family-led nonprofit focused on mental health and suicide prevention.
Caylin Haldeman
Director of Strategy
Caylin brings more than a decade of experience in community-centered design and organizational development to Next Stage, where she leads initiatives focused on growth operations, client experience, and research. Outside of work, Caylin enjoys reading, exploring her East Charlotte neighborhood, and spending time with her husband and their dogs Nacho and Juno.
Nora Hines
Marketing Manager
With experience in developmental editing and design, Nora leads the content management and production process at Next Stage. Nora previously worked as a public school-based speech-language pathologist before transitioning into editorial and content marketing roles.
Josh Jacobson
Founder and CEO
With over a decade of experience in social impact, consulting, and innovation, Josh leads Next Stage’s strategic planning and collaboration management engagements and is a major contributor to the company’s thought leadership efforts. In his spare time, he serves as guitarist and lead vocalist of the 80s/90s cover band “No Whammies.”
Wendy Orrego
Visual Design Manager
Hailing from Guatemala City, Wendy has led design teams and managed high-quality branding projects. She uses her design expertise to support Next Stage and its nonprofit and social good clients. Wendy holds a degree in Audiovisual Production from Universidad Panamericana de Guatemala.
Mishelle Saloj
Visual Design Fellow
Based in Antigua Guatemala, Mishelle is a Graphic Design and Communication student at Universidad Galileo and an alumna of Sol Academy, a program that empowers young Guatemalans through education and leadership. Passionate about creativity and storytelling, she brings curiosity and purpose to her work, eager to grow and create meaningful design.
Connect on LinkedIn
Jalah Blackmon
Director, Impact for Health
With a background in public health education and nonprofit program management, Jalah uses a social justice and health equity lens to lead Impact for Health initiatives at Next Stage, helping to challenge systemic barriers to wellness. She’s also the cofounder of The Black Light Foundation, a 501(c)3, family-led nonprofit focused on mental health and suicide prevention.
Jalah Blackmon
Director, Impact for Health
With a background in public health education and nonprofit program management, Jalah uses a social justice and health equity lens to lead Impact for Health initiatives at Next Stage, helping to challenge systemic barriers to wellness. She’s also the cofounder of The Black Light Foundation, a 501(c)3, family-led nonprofit focused on mental health and suicide prevention.
Connect on LinkedIn
Connect on LinkedIn
Caylin Haldeman
Director of Strategy
Caylin brings more than a decade of experience in community-centered design and organizational development to Next Stage, where she leads initiatives focused on growth operations, client experience, and research. Outside of work, Caylin enjoys reading, exploring her East Charlotte neighborhood, and spending time with her husband and their dogs Nacho and Juno.
Caylin Haldeman
Director of Strategy
Caylin brings more than a decade of experience in community-centered design and organizational development to Next Stage, where she leads initiatives focused on growth operations, client experience, and research. Outside of work, Caylin enjoys reading, exploring her East Charlotte neighborhood, and spending time with her husband and their dogs Nacho and Juno.
Connect on LinkedIn
Connect on LinkedIn
Nora Hines
Marketing Manager
With experience in developmental editing and design, Nora leads the content management and production process at Next Stage. Nora previously worked as a public school-based speech-language pathologist before transitioning into editorial and content marketing roles.
Nora Hines
Marketing Manager
With experience in developmental editing and design, Nora leads the content management and production process at Next Stage. Nora previously worked as a public school-based speech-language pathologist before transitioning into editorial and content marketing roles.
Connect on LinkedIn
Connect on LinkedIn
Josh Jacobson
Founder and CEO
With over a decade of experience in social impact, consulting, and innovation, Josh leads Next Stage’s strategic planning and collaboration management engagements and is a major contributor to the company’s thought leadership efforts. In his spare time, he serves as guitarist and lead vocalist of the 80s/90s cover band “No Whammies.”
Josh Jacobson
Founder and CEO
With over a decade of experience in social impact, consulting, and innovation, Josh leads Next Stage’s strategic planning and collaboration management engagements and is a major contributor to the company’s thought leadership efforts. In his spare time, he serves as guitarist and lead vocalist of the 80s/90s cover band “No Whammies.”
Connect on LinkedIn
Connect on LinkedIn
Wendy Orrego
Visual Design Manager
Hailing from Guatemala City, Wendy has led design teams and managed high-quality branding projects. She uses her design expertise to support Next Stage and its nonprofit and social good clients. Wendy holds a degree in Audiovisual Production from Universidad Panamericana de Guatemala.
Wendy Orrego
Visual Design Manager
Hailing from Guatemala City, Wendy has led design teams and managed high-quality branding projects. She uses her design expertise to support Next Stage and its nonprofit and social good clients. Wendy holds a degree in Audiovisual Production from Universidad Panamericana de Guatemala.
Connect on LinkedIn
Connect on LinkedIn
Mishelle Saloj
Visual Design Fellow
Based in Antigua Guatemala, Mishelle is a Graphic Design and Communication student at Universidad Galileo and an alumna of Sol Academy, a program that empowers young Guatemalans through education and leadership. Passionate about creativity and storytelling, she brings curiosity and purpose to her work, eager to grow and create meaningful design.
Mishelle Saloj
Visual Design Fellow
Based in Antigua Guatemala, Mishelle is a Graphic Design and Communication student at Universidad Galileo and an alumna of Sol Academy, a program that empowers young Guatemalans through education and leadership. Passionate about creativity and storytelling, she brings curiosity and purpose to her work, eager to grow and create meaningful design.
Connect on LinkedIn
Ready to Amplify Your Impact?
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your organization’s unique needs.