October is homecoming month, and YI has embarked on a campaign to highlight the many alumni who have passed through our programs!
Young Invincibles has empowered young adults for 15 years; our network of youth community and student leaders numbers in the thousands. Young adults have proven time and time again that they will be the change past generations have hoped for. All we need to do is set them up for success.
Some now work as our colleagues and teammates, while others have been trailblazers at other institutions and programs. Some started their own campaigns to empower others. All around the world, YI alumni are doing wonderful work serving the community.
Check out our alumni highlight, Kenny Foster!
This month, we contacted former YI Scholar Kenny Foster to see his progress. We asked him some questions and asked if he had some wisdom to share with other advocates nationwide.
What are you up to now after your time at YI?
It feels like ages ago when I was part of the inaugural class of the YI Scholars program. That was my first real internship, my introduction to D.C., and my first taste of the nonprofit world. After that experience, I took a sharp turn and enlisted in the Air Force—a decision that turned out to be one of the best I’ve ever made. Serving for four years and transitioning to civilian life as a 100% disabled veteran brought its own set of challenges, but it also taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of having a clear mission. The resilience I developed during this transition has been a key factor in my success in both my military service and my career in commercial real estate consulting.
When I left the military, I had the space to reflect on what I really wanted next. I knew I wanted a career where I could use my skills and help others navigate complex decisions. That’s what led me to real estate consulting. I realized I could bring together my background in human capital, organizational change, and strategic planning with my love for problem-solving, entrepreneurship & real estate. Now, as a tenant-only consultant, I help clients across different sectors in the DMV by offering commercial real estate advisory services that are personalized to their specific needs. My focus is on really understanding their challenges, making sure they feel heard, providing thoughtful guidance through their real estate decisions, drawing from my military days, and being reliable in ensuring my clients have the best experience possible. It’s been a fulfilling journey, and I’m grateful that my career lets me make a positive impact while drawing from my military experience and passion for real estate.
What is a skill you learned during your time at YI?
One of the most valuable skills I gained during my time at YI was the ability to engage effectively with clients and stakeholders through public speaking and presentations. The program gave me my first real opportunity to develop real communication skills, which are essential for building trust and conveying ideas clearly. In addition to learning how to present confidently, I also strengthened my ability to connect with people on a personal level—understanding that being likable, trustworthy, and bringing positivity to interactions are just as important as delivering information. This experience reinforced my ability to not only communicate well but also to approach engagements with a sense of purpose and empathy, which has been invaluable in my career since.
Do you have any advice for current and future advocates?
My advice for current and future advocates is to embrace curiosity and be bold. Make the most of your time by consistently challenging yourself, both personally and professionally. I believe that pushing yourself, even in small ways each day, not only keeps things interesting but also keeps your motivation high. Most importantly, it helps you build what I think is one of the most critical skills: discipline—and yes, I see it as a skill. If you take advantage of your experiences and practice weaving curiosity, boldness, and discipline into everything you do, you’ll set yourself up for success and have a real shot at greatness.
Every day, ask yourself: Can I pull this off? Do I have the guts to do it? The answer will always be yes and absolutely. It’s about believing in your ability to rise to the challenge and having the courage and curiosity to take action. When you approach life with this mindset, you’ll find that you’re capable of more than you ever imagined.