Working for People Over Power
Toxic polarization has become a defining feature of American politics, fueling widespread distrust and eroding faith in democratic institutions. Amid this dysfunction, however, a new generation of leaders is rising to prove that cooperation across party lines is not only possible but essential.
Although millennials and Gen Z make up only 25 percent of state legislators, they are driving bipartisan progress. In 2022 alone, they sponsored 40 percent of all bipartisan bills signed into state law. Yet these young lawmakers face significant challenges: low salaries, limited staff support, and scarce resources. Without sufficient backing, many are forced to rely on lobbyists instead of engaging directly with constituents, widening the gap between policy and public needs.
Layla Zaidane, President and CEO of Future Caucus, was raised between worlds and learned early how to navigate cultural divides. As a first-generation Moroccan American who grew up between New York and Casablanca in the post-9/11 era, her identity shaped a deep understanding of bridging regional and cultural gaps. This perspective inspired her to transform Future Caucus from a small congressional pilot into a nationwide movement spanning 36 state legislatures.
Future Caucus equips young lawmakers with the tools, training, and community needed to break through partisan gridlock and deliver results for their constituents. Through its free membership, members receive training in relationship-building, leadership development, research and policy support, and storytelling. These soft skills are crucial for passing bipartisan legislation in the House Chamber in Washington, DC, as well as building credibility and earning the trust of their constituents at home.
The newly developed Innovation Lab offers a policy library and expert briefings, while the Innovation Agenda—collectively co-authored by hundreds of emerging legislators—charts a roadmap for future-focused policies. Storytelling initiatives further amplify the impact of these leaders, celebrating their successes through media recognition and notable awards.
2016, Layla joins Future Caucus as Executive Director & COO
2021, she becomes President & CEO, transforming a pilot project into a movement
2022, Named an Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow
2023, Named an Aspen Institute Civil Society Fellow
2025 McNulty Prize Winner
Our democracy is supposed to represent the diverse needs of our country, but many voters sense a mismatch between our dysfunctional political system and their current reality.
Future Caucus has grown from a pilot project into a national movement. In 2024, every state Future Caucus co-chair won reelection, proving that voters reward bipartisan, solutions-driven leadership. The organization expanded its network by 165 lawmakers last year alone. These numbers are set to grow in 2025, especially with the launch of a new criminal justice–focused Innovation Fellowship.
1,900
legislators in 36 state legislatures and Congress served
40%
of all bipartisan bills signed into state law by young legislators in 2022
100%
of state Future Caucus co-chairs won reelection in 2024
As political polarization threatens the very fabric of American democracy, Future Caucus offers a model for the inclusive, collaborative government our system was designed to embody. In an era of unprecedented division, Layla and her team show that democracy’s future depends on our willingness to come together — and that young legislators are ready to lead the way.
Future Caucus instills legislators with the confidence to bridge generational divides.
Under Layla’s leadership, Future Caucus has evolved from a small pilot into a powerful national movement.