Ecosystems of Youth Leadership Development: Pathways to New Programs

by Trisha A. Swed

Ecosystems of Youth Leadership Pathways to New Programs introduces new insights into youth leadership development, where the voices of youth who have been disaffected by previous programs are brought to the forefront. This is opposed to past studies where research is often grounded in understanding only the positive experiences of youth involved in leadership development. These past studies often only implement an adult-centric point of view when determining the value of youth experiences.


Serving as a guide for educators, practitioners, and communities, the book provides examples, research, and tools for analyzing existing programs and creating new programs. Readers can use this book to think about constructive ways to meaningfully connect youth to their communities and create sustainable, long-lasting relationships. Throughout these chapters, practitioners, educators, and community leaders can find studies, student testimonies, examples, and activities they can engage with to further explore the inner workings of youth leadership development programs. 

208 pages, Hardcover

Published February 19, 2025

About the author

Dr. Trisha Swed is an educator, author, and passionate advocate for inclusive leadership and youth empowerment. Her upcoming book, Ecosystems of Youth Leadership Development: Pathways to New Programs (Emerald Publishing, 2025), introduces a transformative approach to youth leadership, emphasizing systemic inclusion, community engagement, and real-world impact.

Dr. Swed’s work is inspired by her experiences working with young leaders and grassroots organizations, particularly in the Philadelphia community. She believes in the power of storytelling and collaboration to bring about meaningful change, challenging traditional leadership models and creating space for voices often left out of the conversation.

In addition to Ecosystems of Youth Leadership Development, Dr. Swed is the co-editor of Global Generative Leadership: Lessons from Women’s Leadership to Sustain Our Future (2025), which explores how inclusive, collaborative leadership can address global challenges.

When she’s not writing or teaching, Dr. Swed enjoys connecting with communities, facilitating intercultural dialogues, and brainstorming creative solutions to pressing societal issues. She hopes her books spark new ideas and inspire readers to embrace leadership as a collaborative and inclusive endeavor.

Reviews

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative, inspiring, and unexpectedly healing. As I read, I thought a lot about how I wished this kind of empathetic and open-minded approach was the norm when I was growing up, and it made me want to be the kind of mentor/leader that could’ve helped me .

[Susan Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read for anyone interested in leadership.