For Immediate Release: November 24, 2025
Contact: Tyler Bushnell, tyler.bushnell@nextgenpolicy.org

NextGen Policy’s Executive Director, Arnold Sowell Jr., received California Forward’s 2025 California Steward Leader Award

SACRAMENTO – On November 19th, California Forward (CA FWD), a multi-partisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is closely aligned with the work of NextGen Policy (NGP), announced that NGP Executive Director Arnold Sowell Jr. would be recognized as a CA FWD 2025 California Steward Leader.

The 2025 California Steward Leader Award, presented in partnership with the California Stewardship Network, recognizes leaders and honors the contributions made by individuals and the organizations they represent who collaborate across sectors to help build a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economy.

Statement from NextGen Policy’s Executive Director, Arnold Sowell Jr.:

“I am truly humbled to be recognized as a California Forward 2025 California Steward Leader and I want to uplift the work and accomplishments of my fellow awardees. CA FWD and NextGen Policy are partners and our two organizations share a deep, and unwavering commitment to build a more prosperous, more equitable, and more climate resilient California for all.” said Arnold Sowell Jr., Executive Director for NextGen Policy. “I want to also acknowledge that I share the 2025 California Steward Leader Award with the entire NextGen Policy team. Every leader worth their salt knows that they are only as strong as the team that surrounds them and I am surrounded by a hard working, dedicated, and courageous team whose expertise and actions propel our organization forward and, without question, made this award recognition possible for me.”

Statement from California Forward’s CEO, Kate Gordon:

“CA FWD was thrilled to honor Arnie with our 2025 California Steward Leader Award, which recognizes those who have dedicated their time and passion to ensuring California is a place where current and future generations can survive and thrive,” said Kate Gordon, CEO for CA FWD. “Arnie’s work leading NextGen Policy is felt deeply throughout our state, whether it’s on workforce strategy or K-12 education or driving policies to help California weather the impacts of climate change. I particularly admire his ability to turn big ideas into tactical policy and political strategy, which is often an undervalued skill.”

Additional award recipients of CA FWD’s 2025 California Steward Leader Awards event included: 

• Ignasio Castillo, who was awarded with the California Young Steward Leader Award; 
• Lily Bui, PhD, Director, Climate and Disaster Preparedness and Resilience at SoCal Grantmakers who was awarded with the California Regional Steward Leader Award
• Steven Frisch, President, Sierra Business Council, who was also awarded with the California Regional Steward Leader Award; and 
• Lenny Mendonca, CA FWD Board of Directors Co-Chair, former Chief Economic and Business Advisor for Governor Newsom and Director of the Office of Business and Economic Development, who was awarded with the California Steward Legacy Award.

From left to right, CA FWD Director of Regional Stewardship Ishmael “Ish” Herrera Jr., NextGen Policy Executive Director Arnold Sowell Jr., and CA FWD CEO Kate Gordon attend the CA FWD 2025 California Steward Leader Awards ceremony.

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NextGen Policy is a nonprofit advocacy organization that breaks down barriers and rebalances power in the State Capitol on behalf of all Californians.

California Forward (CA FWD) is a multi-partisan, non-profit organization building a New California Economy that is sustainable, resilient, and inclusive. CA FWD’s work is done in collaboration with diverse partners—including our California Stewardship Network and leaders from business, community, government, labor, and more.