“Leadership isn’t something that just happens in the future,” said Lauren Campbell (Leadership Advisor and Chief of Staff, Siegfried) as she welcomed nearly 300 next generation leaders to SYLP’s 19^th biannual event. “It starts with you, and it starts now.”

On March 24, 2026, middle and high school students from 17 schools gathered at the University of Delaware to begin investing in their bigger futures. This SYLP event featured a keynote address by Nicki Joiner – national youth speaker – along with a courage-filled student panel and thoughtful breakout sessions.

Throughout the day, students practiced leading authentically and embracing a growth mindset. They further explored how to align their strengths with their passions and interests for fulfilling future careers.

Based on the transformative idea of improving the lives of young people, SYLP provides leadership development opportunities for students in grades 8 through 12, as well as their teachers and mentors. Created and sponsored by The Siegfried Group, LLP (Siegfried), SYLP also partners closely with the University of Delaware’s Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship (CEEE) and Horn Entrepreneurship, as well as Junior Achievement of Delaware to organize these events.

Breakout sessions: Writing your story, step by step

Prior to Nicki’s keynote, students participated in two of four available breakout sessions tailored to their grade level. Presenters, who included University of Delaware faculty and staff, as well as Leadership Advisors from Siegfried, encouraged participants to take the small but necessary steps toward their greatest dreams.

8^th and 9^th Grade

• Breakout Session #1 – “You are Already Telling a Story”: Jill Pante of the University of Delaware’s Lerner College urged students to quiet their negative self-talk and build confidence on the path to their dreams, regardless of the setbacks they may (or may not) face along the way. Reflecting on her own experience, Jill shared, “When I was your age, I had ‘glitches’ – inner, negative thoughts that told me I couldn’t do what I wanted or that I wasn’t good enough. Everyone has this critic in their mind, and it never fully goes away, but big dreams start with small steps.”
• Breakout Session #2 – “Mindset: Fixed Stories vs. Growth Stories”: Led by Nick Enos (Leadership Advisor and Associate Director, Siegfried) and Jill Braithwaite (Leadership Advisor and Chief of Staff, Siegfried), this session explored becoming more intentional about your mindset. Nick and Jill encouraged students to reframe how they approach daily challenges and embrace opportunities for learning and growth. Jill explained, “To change or improve your mindset, you must first identify where you are, where you want to be, and the path to get there.”

10^th, 11^th, and 12^th Grade

• Breakout Session #1 – “Crafting Your Bigger Future Story”: Sophia Cressman, Horn Entrepreneurship, guided students in discovering their authentic selves and identifying the character ethic traits that resonate most deeply, asking, “When are you most engaged, confident, and natural?  What unique abilities emerge when you’re leading with who you are at your core?” She emphasized that strong teams are built on complementary strengths – what drains one person may energize another – and that genuine self-awareness leads to more effective collaboration.
• Breakout Session #2 – “Taking the Next Step”: Professor Nat Measley of the University of Delaware led a session focused on self-reflection and becoming the “hero” in your own journey. He spoke about answering the call to adventure, facing the “dragons” that represent life’s challenges, and embracing imperfection along the way. Nat challenged students to consider, “What habits can you develop over time to help you overcome the obstacles (slay the dragons) on your hero’s journey?”

It’s never too early to start: What Nicki wishes she knew

Teachers and students also heard from keynote speaker Nicki Joiner, who delivered practical career advice that many students don’t encounter until college or later. Grounded in real-world application, her insights helped equip students to navigate their futures with confidence and clarity.

• More is not always better. Better is better. Nicki encouraged students to be intentional about the opportunities they pursue. While it can be tempting to say “yes” to everything – to please others or to build a longer résumé – she emphasized the importance of focusing on activities that are personally fulfilling and backed by strong purpose. “It’s less about the list of ingredients, or what you’re involved in, and more about the recipe you can create with that list,” Nicki explained. “Don’t just tell me what you did – tell me the purpose behind it. That’s what leads to the best results.”
• Ask just as many questions as you answer. Nicki urged attendees to stay curious about what interests them and think beyond predefined career paths. “You are the leaders of the future,” she said. “Think about what problems you want to solve, rather than tying yourself to a particular job title.” She emphasized the importance of staying committed to your own interests and personal goals, as opposed to choosing a path that feels convenient or expected by others.

Following her keynote, Nicki co-moderated a student-led panel alongside Lauren Campbell. Four student panelists discussed overcoming challenges, making meaningful connections with mentors and role models, and the steps they’re already taking toward defining and attaining their bigger futures.

Providing transformative experiences

Siegfried has spent more than 35 years delivering on its higher purpose to help people transform themselves into better leaders to exponentially improve their lives. In 2016, Siegfried’s CEO and Founder, Rob Siegfried, expanded this reach and created SYLP, which is designed for students in grades 8 through 12, as well as their teachers and mentors. As part of the program, the SYLP team hosts events during which student participants focus on developing the qualities they need to start, or continue, their journey toward becoming strong individual leaders and building a successful future. Overall, the program aims to create a more rhythmic approach to focusing on individual leadership.

This SYLP event was hosted at the University of Delaware on March 24, 2026. The next SYLP event at the University of Delaware will take place on October 20, 2026.