Empowering Leaders and Organizations to Achieve Excellence and Lasting Impact

We equip individuals and institutions with the tools, training, and strategies to elevate performance and drive meaningful change.

Next-Level Leadership Strategies for Growth, Success, and Sustainable Change

With a legacy of proven results, we help organizations sharpen their vision, enhance skills, and achieve sustainable success.

Unlocking Potential and Maximizing Impact for Businesses, Leaders, and Teams

We combine cutting-edge strategies with industry expertise to deliver measurable outcomes and drive personal and organizational success.

Building Stronger Leaders, Stronger Futures through Innovation, Expertise and Results.

Through research-based training and tailored solutions, we empower professionals to lead with confidence and purpose.

Revolutionizing Leadership: The Science of Influence, Action, and Results

Not just another training program—transforming the way you lead and inspire.

I am an Organization Seeking Leadership Development
Solutions

Empower your teams with customized leadership training and coaching designed to drive performance, strengthen culture, and cultivate future-ready leaders. Our expert-led programs equip your organization with the tools to inspire, engage, and lead with impact.

ORGANIZATIONS:

I am an Emerging or Established Leader Seeking Executive Coaching & Growth

Accelerate your leadership journey with personalized coaching and development strategies tailored to your career goals. Gain the confidence, skills, and insights needed to lead effectively, influence with authority, and unlock your full potential.

INDIVIDUALS:

Teaching and Coaching Experience

YEARS

of combined teaching and coaching experience fuel our programs with depth and insight.

Curriculum Design Expertise

YEARS

of curriculum design expertise ensure every lesson is strategic, structured, and impactful.

Leadership and Strategic Growth Experience

YEARS

of leadership and strategic growth experience driving transformative outcomes for every participant.

Graduating Leadership and Executives

PARTICIPANTS

who completed various training opportunities with Next Step Associates (with certificates).

The Standard of Leadership excellence

Download Our Year-In-Review Leadership Guide

NSA Leadership Programming and Training

Next Step Associates, LLC, (NSA), was founded in 2004 to provide innovative and relevant professional development, training, and technical assistance designed to help individuals and organizations improve performance, build capacity, and successfully reach goals. NSA is certified as a minority, woman-owned company (MWBE), and a Local Business Entity (LBE).Building on our broad spectrum of expertise, cross-disciplinary approach, and knowledge of adult learning principles, NSA has an excellent track record for creating compelling training and curriculum delivered with laser-sharp execution to meet client needs. Our highly credentialed trainers and instructors are supported by a strong research and evaluation team, and they incorporate best practices and solutions designed to enhance the performance of our clients.

Why Choose NSA?

NSA professionals capitalize on their expertise in training for best practices, years of cross-industry training experience, and project management strategies and methodologies to develop and deliver effective professional development and training programs. These programs are tailored to support the type of organizational change each client seeks. Our customized professional development and training approaches help employees in a wide variety of positions acquire the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to improve their performance and foster a culture that embraces positive change.

Empowering Growth Through Expertise

Proven Expertise and Customized Solutions

Next Step Associates (NSA) brings 20+ years of experience in professional development, combining cross-industry knowledge and adult learning principles to deliver tailored leadership training. Our programs are designed to drive organizational change, equipping individuals and teams with actionable skills to excel in their roles.

Empowering Organizations with Inclusive and Impactful Solutions

Seasoned Leadership and Locally Trusted

As a certified Minority/Woman-Owned Business (MWBE) and Local Business Entity (LBE) our high profile clients include stalwarts in Philadelphia and beyond. NSA prioritizes inclusivity and community impact. We understand diverse workplace challenges and deliver culturally responsive training to foster inclusive leadership.

Measurable Outcomes That Elevate Performance and Growth

Results-Driven Approach

NSA’s laser-focused execution ensures training translates to real-world impact. From project management strategies to performance improvement tools, we help organizations build capacity, embrace change, and achieve measurable goals.

Customized Professional Development to Drive Growth and Lasting Change

Empowering Organizations and Executives
Through Expert Training

NSA professionals capitalize on their expertise in training for best practices, years of cross-industry training experience, and project management strategies and methodologies to develop and deliver effective professional development and training programs. These programs are tailored to support the type of organizational change each client seeks. Our customized professional development and training approaches help employees in a wide variety of positions acquire the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to improve their performance and foster a culture that embraces positive change.

Client Success Stories:

Recognized Leadership and Measurable Results

For 21 years , NSA has worked alongside its clients to develop, design, and provide comprehensive and relevant training and curriculum. NSA delivers servic es that increase skills and overall staff performance in the areas of leadership , workforce development, succession planning, and executive – level coaching

Recognized in 2014 by the Philadelphia Business Journal as one of the region’s Top 50 Minority – Owne d Businesses, NSA helps organizations maximize return on their investments and restores focus on mission critical initiatives. In April 2019, the U. S. Small Business Administration Eastern Pennsylvania District Office recognized Next Step Associates as th e 2019 Eastern Pennsylvania Minority – Owned Small Business of the Year. In 2024, Dr. Jones was recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a Women of Distinction, a spotlight on the region’s most influential Businesswomen.

Leadership Transformation—At Every Level

Two Paths of Excellence

We deliver the strategy, coaching, and tools to make success inevitable.

Great leadership requires transformation at every level—that’s why we offer both macro and micro development paths. For organizations, we build scalable leadership systems that strengthen culture, alignment, and measurable growth. For individuals, we provide high-impact coaching to sharpen skills, amplify influence, and drive change from within. Because true progress isn’t just about fixing structures or people—it’s the synergy of both. When organizations invest in systemic leadership development and empower their people with personalized growth, that’s how enduring success is built.

Organizational Leadership Solutions

For businesses, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits

What We Deliver: Custom leadership training, executive coaching, and strategic audits to enhance performance, culture, and growth.
Key Differentiator: Data-driven, scalable programs designed to align teams and drive measurable organizational impact.

Individual Executive Development

For strategic mapping and empowering emerging and established leaders.

What We Deliver: High-level coaching, leadership academies, and public workshops to sharpen skills, expand influence, and accelerate careers.
Key Differentiator: Personalized, ICF-certified coaching with elite faculty, tailored to individual leadership growth.

Leadership Programming and Training

NSA Leadership Academy Featured Programs

Where

Laser-Sharp Thinking Meets
Unmatched Execution

At NSA Leadership Academy, we believe transformative leadership starts with clarity, strategy, and accountability. Our programs equip executives, managers, and government leaders with the mindset, tools, and actionable frameworks to drive measurable change—within themselves, their teams, and their organizations.

Philly Future Track

Training and Development

The Philly Future Track program, in partnership with the City of Philadelphia, offers a six-month training and work experience opportunity that can lead to full-time employment in civil service. The program includes certifications in Powered Industrial Trucks and training in Mobile Elevating Work Platforms.

Global Academies Program

Legacy Building

We equip inner-city youth with tools to lead, serve, and thrive—locally and globally. Through curated curriculum, travel, and mentorship, students gain exposure beyond their neighborhoods and grow as empowered future leaders.

AEW Leadership Institute

Strategic Leadership

For C-suite leaders and senior executives ready to redefine organizational success. This immersive virtual program blends Harvard-modeled coaching with real-world strategy, empowering you to inspire transformation, align teams, and execute with precision.

The Lindback Awards for Distinguished Principals and Teachers

Recognizing Excellence in School Leadership

Since 2011, Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation of Philadelphia has recognized and rewarded school principals who have made significant leadership and humanitarian contributions to his/her school community.

Each year, the Lindback Foundation awards 60 distinguished teachers and seven principals from The School District of Philadelphia public schools who demonstrate excellence in promoting learning at the highest levels. The teacher award recipients will be chosen based on their activities that improve the intellectual and character development of students. Similarly, the Lindback Distinguished Principal Award recognizes and rewards school principals who have made significant leadership and humanitarian contributions to his/her school community.

“THEY SAID”

Roberta W. Gutman’s “They Said” is a powerful reminder that both personal and professional success begins with rejecting limiting beliefs imposed by others. Rooted in the Black experience, the poem speaks to the universal struggle of overcoming doubt, reclaiming pride, and choosing growth. It challenges us to reflect on our own path—have we internalized defeat or stepped boldly toward our potential? Whether in life or work, the message is clear: change begins the moment we decide to believe in our worth and take action.

THEY SAID

They told us that we could not be
Successful, rich and bright,
Because the color of our skin
Brought welfare, shame and fright.

They said that all Black children,
Just couldn’t make the grades
Because we aren’t the smartest,
We sing, play sports, wear “fades”

They called us lazy, dumb, thus poor.
They said we’d earned our plight!
But only when we listened,
Did our day turn to night.

We acted out the things they said.
We scorned our own who tried.
We learned to play the “victim.”
We lost our sense of pride.

Then out of Georgia came a King
Who some say God did send.
We worked and prayed and marched for things
Much longed for deep within.

Our pride returned quite quickly,
Success became a goal.
“I am somebody” – we did shout
Who cares what we were told.

When King was called to heaven,
Tears could not drown our pain.
Did we only lose our leader?
Had we lost all that we’d gained?

Some went back to the “victim” state.
Some worked more than before.
Some vowed to keep His dream alive
By entering success’s door.

I wonder which path you did take.
Would you be proud to say?
If redirection must take place,
Why don’t you start today.

Written on the occasion of the Black History Month celebration At Motorola
Boynton Beach, Florida | February 23, 1995 | 1995 Roberta W. Gutman

SERVICES

Overview of Expertise

Services for Organizations

Services for Individuals

Our Four-Step Training Process

ABOUT NSA

ABOUT

SERVICES

PROGRAMS

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

RESOURCES

MISSION

CONTACT

CONNECT WITH US

Next Step Associates (NSA) learning environments promote invigorating discussions, appropriate and engaging content and culturally relevant strategies.

Overview of Expertise

Transforming Organizations Through Proven Expertise

15+ Years of Experience

Cross-Disciplinary Approach

Certifications: SBA 8(a), HUBZone, MWBE

Leadership: Dr. Cassandra W. Jones

Services for Organizations

Tailored Solutions for Your Organization’s Unique Needs

Accountable Leadership Training

Workforce Development

Executive Coaching Curriculum

Business Writing & Communication

Services for Individuals

A Proven 4-Step Process for Lasting Impact

Needs Assessment

Execute and Engage

eXamine the Findings, Gather Feedback

Tailor-Made Sustainable Solutions

Our Four-Step Training Process

Real Results for Real Clients

Proven Success Stories

Client Transformations

Impact in Action

Real-World Results