Gen Z Can’t Find the Torch
A cheat-sheet from our session at SXSW 2025.
The generational divide in the U.S. has never been more stark. Only believe the American Dream is still attainable, the lowest recorded of any age group. Despite widespread “Get Out the Vote” efforts, Gen Z continues to lag in voter turnout, and with just one Gen Z member of Congress and the inauguration of the oldest president ever, older generations maintain a firm grip on our institutions. As cultural and political shifts reshape our country, one thing is clear: Gen Z is searching for connection, opportunity, and a path forward in a society where upward mobility feels increasingly out of reach.
hosted a Panel, “Gen Z vs the Gerontocracy: Reclaiming America’s Future,” in Austin, Texas last week to discuss this growing divide and the role that older generations play in building a better future for all of us. I moderated the panel and was joined by three incredible Gen Z leaders: , Founder and Executive Director of ; , Founder and CEO of ; and , Founder of and . We discussed how intergenerational collaboration can drive meaningful change, the barriers young leaders face across sectors, and the tangible steps older generations can take to open leadership pathways for the next generation. Hear their insights directly by watching the full panel .
This conversation couldn’t have been more timely. As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, young people remain largely excluded from shaping the commemoration. Through Youth250, Made By Us is empowering young leaders to see the power of their voices, lead youth-centered 250th planning efforts, and write America’s next chapter.
With the U.S. 250th on our minds, the panelists shared insights on how intergenerational collaboration played a pivotal role in their journeys as Gen Z leaders:
- SHARE INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE: At just 17, Tiana Day founded as a recent high school graduate. Navigating the complexities of establishing a 501(c)(3) was daunting, until she turned to her aunt, an experienced nonprofit professional, for mentorship. Institutional knowledge passed down from older generations can be the difference between fueling a young leader’s vision or letting it fade.
- RECOGNIZE YOUNG TALENT: When Andrew Roth launched as a college student, he wasn’t sure where it would lead. That changed when the VP of Marketing at Chipotle stumbled upon one of his early research reports and took a chance on his fresh Gen Z insights. Even before young leaders have a fully developed proof of concept, recognizing their potential and investing in their ideas can unlock groundbreaking innovation.
- COLLABORATION OVER MENTORSHIP: Dillon St. Bernard’s first boss saw his talent and entrepreneurial drive and lifted him up. Instead of just mentoring him, she empowered him to build something of his own within her organization, laying the foundation for his future work as a founder of and . True intergenerational collaboration goes beyond mentorship; it’s about working alongside young leaders, equipping them with skills and opportunities that will shape their future impact.
While our panelists recognized the important role older generations have played in their journeys, that doesn’t mean intergenerational collaboration is always easy. Here are a couple key insights they shared on what older generations get wrong about Gen Z:
- DIGITAL CAPTIVES: Gen Z are not just naturally good with technology; we’re trapped by it. Social media promised connection, but instead it gave us connectivity. And those aren’t the same thing. We’re more connected to the internet than to each other, creating an illusion of connection in our online world. Read more about dcdx’s theory of Digital Captives .
- NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL: When Gen Z challenges “business as usual,” it’s not about dismissing everything that came before us. We recognize the impact of past work, but we’re also asking, “If something isn’t working, why are we still doing it this way?”
- NOT PRO-AUTHORITARIANISM: It’s not that Gen Z wants an authoritarian government, it’s that we’ve grown up seeing American dysfunction. From watching our families struggle through the Great Recession to having our earliest political memories shaped by the 2016 presidential election and beyond, Gen Z has never known a political system that has worked for everyone. That’s why so many young adults are involved in advocacy. They’re pushing to create a system that actually works.
Helping Gen Z succeed across sectors is good for our country. Yet every panelist shared a common challenge: in many cases, there isn’t even a torch to pass. Whether due to older leaders holding on to power or fundamental differences in values between generations, it’s clear that traditional pathways to leadership are broken and younger generations are struggling to find opportunities to rise.
So, how can older leaders and organizations truly support the next generation? Our panelists shared a few key takeaways:
- TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE: Gen Z exists in a paradox: we have everything and nothing to lose at the same time. We see systemic problems unfolding in real-time and feel that older generations aren’t moving fast enough to stop them. In this reality, the expectation to “pay our dues” can feel like a barrier to the rapid change needed to solve pressing social issues. Instead of dismissing young leaders as overly ambitious, learn from their urgency and identify where their drive for change can be an asset.
- CREATE SAFE ENVIRONMENTS: Young people want spaces where they can speak up without being dismissed because of their age. As conversations around mental health in the workplace evolve, organizations must also consider psychological safety ensuring that young leaders feel heard, valued, and supported as they share their lived experiences and take on new challenges.
- DON’T MAKE IT EASY: Gen Z changemakers aren’t looking for handouts. The struggle of building something new or stepping into unfamiliar environments is what makes us grow as leaders. The goal isn’t to remove challenges, it’s to remove unnecessary barriers. When opportunities are accessible but still demanding, young leaders develop the skills, resilience, and experience needed to drive meaningful change.
What did we miss? How have you seen older generations support young changemakers? What do you wish you had as a young leader? Let us know in the comments.
