Presently, Next Generation has trained nearly 50 current or former legislators as Facilitators to lead Workshops and be civility ambassadors in their state. Read more about each Facilitator below and contact Next Generation to join the next Facilitator Training!
Meet Our Facilitators
Next Generation National Network Co-Chairs
Kelley led the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses under Governor Brad Little, an agency which serves more than 73,000 licensees and registrants and 28 Boards and one Commission and played a key role in the Governor’s initiative to reduce barriers for people who want to work in Idaho while ensuring public protection. Currently, Kelley serves as the Executive Director for the Idaho Association of Cities which provides advocacy, training, and research on behalf of Idaho’s 199 cities.
Kelley is also a small business owner and she holds a degree in Business Administration.
Kelley has been a trained Next Generation Facilitator since 2015. She has many ideas to expand the delivery of civil discourse training to local government elected officials.
He is currently the pastor at three historic Harpers Ferry Civil War churches: St. John Lutheran Church, Camp Hill - Wesley United Methodist Church, and the priest of St. John’s Episcopal Church.
During his Senate tenure, Senator Unger expanded the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. While Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, he sponsored groundbreaking legislation including the Community Empowerment Transportation Act (CETA) enabling local communities to address transportation needs, the Electronic Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Act (ETOPIA) supporting the deployment of broadband, water protection legislation, and transportation legislation and funding for the completion of Route 9 (VA/WV Line to Martinsburg) and Raleigh Street Extension (Martinsburg). Senator Unger sponsored the creation of the State Division of Energy, Farmland Protection Act, Water Resource Protection Act, West Virginia Early Child Education Act, anti-animal cruelty legislation, anti-litter legislation and numerous education bills.
Unger is a Rhodes Scholar who graduated from WVU with a BA in Liberal Arts / Biology, Oxford University with a BA/MA (Oxon) in Philosophy, Politics and of Economics, and Wesley Theological Seminary with the M.Div (Honors). He resides in Martinsburg with his wife Cara.
John has been a trained Next Generation Facilitator since 2015. He has innovative ideas on how the program can foster stronger legislative relationships and mentoring, improve its curriculum, and adapt it to a virtual format.
Active Facilitators
Berger served six years on the Wyoming Parks and Cultural Resources Commission as well as on numerous local civic boards, including the Sheridan Chamber of Commerce, Dog and Cat Shelter, Sheridan Arts Council and WYO Theater, and the Wyoming Film Division Task Force. She spent decades working as a travel consultant and travel business owner, along with various business management, film location and event coordination positions. Rosie spends time as a facilitator and trainer for NICD and Leadership Wyoming. She currently serves on the Brinton Museum National Advisory Council, Healthier Democracies Advisory Council and boards of Climb Wyoming, the Wyoming Women’s Foundation and the Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus – which she founded in 2008.
Fred has been a trained Facilitator since 2019.
Prior to serving as County Commissioner, Denise served four terms in the Ohio Legislature as the Representative of the 31st Ohio House District. During her time in the legislature, Denise brought a collaborative and bipartisan approach to passing laws, focused especially on education, job creation, and the opioid crisis. As the first woman to serve as Ranking Member of the House Finance Committee, Denise collaborated with other representatives and community leaders to secure state funding for infrastructure and economic development projects throughout Hamilton County.
Excited to be the second woman ever elected to the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners, Denise has made women’s issues a priority and established the first-ever Commission on Women and Girls.
Before entering public service full-time, Denise owned and managed two small businesses. She has two wonderful kids, Sarah and Andrew.
For his dedication to the community, Katz has been honored by both Le Club Calumet and the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce. An accomplished attorney, Senator Katz is a former President of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association and has been named as one of the “Outstanding Lawyers in America.” He also co-hosts a statewide television program with former Speaker of the House, Hannah Pingree, “Pingree & Katz: The Maine Event.”
Roger Katz resides in Augusta with his wife Ericka. He is the proud father of two adult children, Shari and Jonathan.
Trained Facilitators
"Kristin had a strong quiet presence and when she spoke, in a deep almost husky voice, she spoke from deep experience and firm conviction. She was a natural facilitator and careful listener. I also recall that she was full of life and had a great sense of humor. What a tragic loss." ~ Dr. Kirk Emerson, Next Generation Facilitator Trainer, member of the School of Government and Public Policy at the University of Arizona
Next Generation holds a Facilitator Training for 12 state lawmakers at a time to become trained Facilitators for Next Generation’s Building Trust through Civil Discourse workshops. The two-and-a-half-day training is provided at no cost to participants so long as they sign the Facilitator Agreement Contract.