Title: Founder and Executive Director
Company: Next Chapter Foundation Inc.
Location: Aurora, Colorado, United States
Josephine Burton, Founder and Executive Director at Next Chapter Foundation Inc., has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements and leadership in the Nonprofit and Mental Health Fields.
Ms. Burton has served as the founder and executive director of Next Chapter Foundation Inc. (The NXT Chapter), a Denver, Colorado-based nonprofit organization that she established in 2019 and has led through several years of full operations. Drawing from her own lived experiences and a steadfast commitment to breaking cycles of incarceration, poverty and trauma, she developed a peer-led, trauma-informed model that supports justice-involved and at-risk individuals.
Under Ms. Burton’s guidance, The NXT Chapter delivers peer recovery coaching, intensive case management, employment readiness and placement services, and basic-needs support. The organization is known for helping participants obtain vital identification documents, such as birth certificates and Social Security cards, secure housing and connect with essential community resources. Ms. Burton’s leadership emphasizes dignity, accountability and second chances while focusing on measurable outcomes and generational change. Since the launch of The NXT Chapter, she has contributed to and witnessed life-changing reentry and recovery milestones for individuals and families impacted by incarceration, homelessness and substance use. Her efforts have resulted in the opening of three offices across Colorado in Denver, Aurora and Thornton, with plans underway to expand into Chicago.
A hallmark of Ms. Burton’s career is her innovative approach to workforce development. She is credited as the first in Colorado to launch virtual reality headsets featuring 306 trades for workforce training through SkillVRse, enabling participants to gain hours and certifications that align with their career aspirations. Notably, SkillVRse is a virtual reality pre-employment training class designed specifically for formerly incarcerated individuals that improves employment outcomes by 60% compared to traditional classroom training. The specialized, four-week training class is run entirely by peers who have lived experience and allows participants to practice real-world scenarios in a safe and engaging environment.
Ms. Burton also pioneered an artificial intelligence (AI) backend system, INSiGHT, designed to streamline administrative tasks, freeing up time for direct community engagement and supporting individuals in need. Rather than replacing people, INSiGHT empowers them by reducing administrative burden and creating more time for human connection, compassionate service and lasting impact.
Additionally, Ms. Burton’s expertise has led her to develop the S.E.E.D. curriculum, a self-educating program focused on self-esteem, goal setting and cognitive thinking, for developers facing personal challenges similar to those she overcame herself. Her ability to translate personal adversity into meaningful support for others has earned her acclaim as an innovator and advocate within her field.
Before founding The NXT Chapter, Ms. Burton worked as a DoorDash delivery driver and at a local airport. Through these roles from 2017 to 2019, she demonstrated remarkable perseverance by saving $60,000 to launch her nonprofit initiative. These early positions underscored Ms. Burton’s commitment to hard work and financial discipline, qualities that have continued to define her leadership style.
Ms. Burton’s educational journey stands as a testament to resilience and self-determination. After being emancipated from the state of Illinois at age 14 and experiencing incarceration as a young adult, she returned to school following her release. Ms. Burton earned a General Educational Development credential before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business management and accounting from CCD in Denver in 2007. She considers this pursuit of education, once undervalued in her life, to be her proudest achievement and credits it as the foundation for her professional success.
In addition to her academic credentials, Ms. Burton holds several certifications that enhance her impact in the nonprofit sector. She is a HIPAA-certified peer recovery credential re-entry specialist, certified administrative professional and mandated reporter. These qualifications underscore Ms. Burton’s commitment to ethical practice and comprehensive service delivery.
Ms. Burton’s civic involvement extends beyond The NXT Chapter’s core programs. She sponsors other organizations through funding and volunteerism, feeding homeless youth and adults, and regularly organizes community events focused on reentry support, youth empowerment and resource connection. As a mentor for emerging nonprofit leaders, Ms. Burton provides coaching on nonprofit formation, program development and sustainability while also participating in outreach efforts that distribute meals, hygiene items and essential resources to those experiencing homelessness.
Ms. Burton’s creative contributions are equally impressive. Most notably, she is the creator and producer of an upcoming animated cartoon series titled “From Hoodies to Business Suits,” which will chronicle her life story. The animated series follows Josie, Stephanie, Mark, Kevin and Kenny as they transition from the harsh realities of inner-city gang warfare, trauma and prison to the boardrooms of Denver.
Among Ms. Burton’s most significant career highlights are stepping into public visibility for the first time, being featured on news broadcasts and podcasts where she shared The NXT Chapter’s mission, and participating in Pitch Night events that challenged her to articulate the organization’s vision for growth. These milestones confirmed that Ms. Burton’s work in reentry support, recovery services, and community restoration is both seen and valued.
Lauded for her hard work, Ms. Burton was a featured subject on Channel 7’s “Everyday Hero” segment and was profiled by Voyage Magazine. Throughout her career, she has attributed her success to relentless self-education, drive and an unwavering resolve in the face of obstacles.
Looking ahead, Ms. Burton remains committed to expanding The NXT Chapter’s reach by opening additional offices to serve more communities in need of holistic reentry services. Her goals include further innovation in technology-driven workforce training solutions through SkillVRse and continued development of AI systems that improve organizational efficiency. Ms. Burton hopes that when people hear her name, they remember someone who led with heart and who was a leader who overcame adversity through determination while uplifting others along the way.
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