Next Up Columbus 2025: William Needleman
Name: William Needleman
Age: 29
Profession: Assistant Project Director, AARP Foundation
Neighborhood: Quarry Trails
Education: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication and Sociology, Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communication with a specialization in Survey Research, Project Management Professional (P.M.P.), Certified Volunteer Administrator (C.V.A.)
Community Involvement: AARP Foundation SCSEP, Hilliard Food Pantry Plus, Project Management Institute, Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration
Motto:“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” -Winston Churchill.
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William Needleman brings heart, resilience, and strategy to his work in nonprofit leadership. With a background in communication and three nonprofit internships under his belt, he launched his career as a community organizer, supporting both youth literacy and senior care. Those early years sharpened his skills in outreach, volunteer coordination, fundraising, and strategic planning, laying a strong foundation for the career that followed (after a brief but clarifying identity crisis in the sector).
In 2022, William found his stride as Assistant Project Director for the AARP Foundation’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). Through this role, he helps older adults re-enter the workforce by connecting them to job training opportunities with nonprofit and government partners. Participants gain experience, purpose, and confidence while supporting nearly 80 agencies across Columbus. For William, the work is all about empowering people — at every stage of life — to find their path forward.
What gets you up in the morning? And what gets you through the workweek?
What motivates me is knowing my work will support my team, whose work will ultimately benefit the people in our program and our partnering social service agencies. What gets me through the week is seeing the positive impact that our program has on people’s lives and enjoying my role: strategic planning, streamlining operations, team building, project management, and forging relationships with program participants and social service agencies.
What advice or mentors have helped guide you along the way?
I have been fortunate to work with thoughtful mentors throughout my career. One of them, an internship supervisor after my first year in college, provided advice that has shaped my professional life. He advised me to shift my perspective from helping people by persuading them to change their behavior to serving folks through relationships built by connection, understanding, and information.
That perspective has enabled me to assist many people in various ways. First, it has improved the quality of my program’s support; I ask community members about their struggles and how my team can best serve them. Second, seeking understanding increases people’s receptiveness to information that may benefit them. Third, this view has facilitated more collaboration with social service agencies, which provide resources to individuals that my program cannot, and vice versa. Lastly, my perspective empowers team members who know I care about and value them, and whose suggestions have improved my organization’s processes.
What do you do or where do you go to unwind?
To unwind, I take a walk on a trail, stream a show, listen to music, read the news, spoil my dad’s dog, or complete a crossword puzzle.
What are a few of your favorite local spots in Columbus?
I really enjoy The Short North and Grandview Heights. My favorite spots change monthly. Currently, my favorite spots are Kafe Kerouac, Goodale Park, and Yat’s. The Arts Festival is my favorite event because it makes art unpretentiously accessible to everyone, and I love the uniqueness of each booth and connecting with the talented, often local, artists.
When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up?
Depending on the day, I wanted to be a teacher, journalist, or community organizer. I gravitated towards careers focused on amplifying the voices of people in our community who feel unseen and unheard.
What books or podcasts are you reading/listening to right now?
I am reading “Who: The ‘A’ Method for Hiring,” and I listen to the podcast “Nonprofit Pulse” in the car.
What does it mean to you to be chosen for the Next Up Columbus award?
I feel grateful and surprised to have been chosen for this honor. To me, the value of this award is what it represents rather than who it recognizes. Empowering our community is not confined to specific sectors, industries, jobs, organizations, causes, or years of experience. Anyone can make a positive difference in our city, and everyone’s impact is unique.
If someone were to ask you what the “pulse” of Columbus is, what would you tell them?
Columbus is a great area to live in many ways, but it is just that-a location. Other cities have similar laws, landscapes, and industries. Columbusites are the heart and soul of our city; we shape the unique culture that distinguishes here from everywhere else in the world. Together, we make Columbus more than a place; we make it our home.
The Next Up Columbus Awards, presented annually by the Columbus Young Professionals Club, recognize emerging leaders who are making a meaningful impact across Central Ohio. These honorees are innovators, connectors, and community champions helping to shape a brighter future for Columbus. Meet the entire Class of 2025 »