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NorthStar Names Wayne Brown as Next President

Succeeds Founding President Scott Hazelrigg

Wayne Brown - Northstar President

OMAHA, Neb. — The NorthStar Board of Directors have announced that Wayne Brown has been selected as the organization’s next President, beginning December 3, 2025. Brown will succeed founding President Scott Hazelrigg, who shared earlier this year his intention to step down at the end of the year after 18 years of dedicated leadership.

Brown joins NorthStar after serving as President and CEO of the Urban League of Nebraska since 2022, where he championed economic self-reliance, civil rights, and equal opportunity for all. Prior to that, he was Vice President of the Urban League, overseeing Education and Youth Development programming as well as Employment and Career Services. A native of Omaha and a graduate of Benson High School, Brown served nine years in the U.S. Army before graduating Magna Cum Laude from East Tennessee State University. In 2009, he earned his law degree from Creighton University and has since contributed to the Omaha community through leadership roles at Avenue Scholars, the Omaha Community Foundation, and more.

“I was born and raised in North Omaha, and the location and name of NorthStar have always resonated with me,” Brown said. “I’ve long been committed to building social capital and opportunity in our community, and I see a deep alignment between my work at the Urban League of Nebraska and the mission of NorthStar. While I’m sad to leave the Urban League, I’m excited to work directly with the young men and families NorthStar serves and the extraordinary staff. Scott Hazelrigg is a legend, and I am proud to carry on the leadership of the NorthStar mission.”

Since its founding, NorthStar has grown from a vision for a single-sex after-school program into a thriving 15-acre campus serving thousands of boys and young men, seven days a week, through its three pillars: Academics, Athletics, and Adventure. With strong staff leadership, a committed board, and dedicated community support, NorthStar is well-positioned for its next chapter.

“We are thrilled to welcome Wayne Brown to lead the next chapter at NorthStar and to build on the excellent work of Scott Hazelrigg,” Scott Semrad, NorthStar board chair said. “Wayne’s background, leadership, and love for the North Omaha community make him the perfect person to lead NorthStar.”

Hazelrigg, who has served as NorthStar’s founding President since 2007, said the organization is well prepared for this next chapter. “Wayne Brown is an excellent leader,” Hazelrigg said. “Under his direction, NorthStar will be in great hands and build on our past success and honor the investment of our stakeholders, and most importantly, the boys and their families.”

FAQ for NorthStar Foundation Leadership Transition Plan

After 18 years of dedicated leadership, Scott Hazelrigg, NorthStar’s founding President, has announced that he will step down from his role at the end of 2025. This decision comes as part of a thoughtful and strategic succession plan to ensure the organization’s continued success and impact moving forward.

Why is Scott Hazelrigg transitioning out of his leadership role?

Scott has provided several key reasons for this leadership transition:

The Work of a Builder is Complete: Scott has built both an impactful program and the necessary campus infrastructure to support the work NorthStar does serving young men. With these essential elements firmly in place, he sees his role as a builder fulfilled, making this the right time for a transition to a leader to guide the organization’s next chapter—one centered on sustaining success, expanding impact, deepening partnerships, and preserving the mission while fostering future growth.

A Thoughtful and Seamless Transition: Succession planning is a crucial part of an organization’s long-term sustainability. In 2024, the Board of Directors Strategic Planning focus included development of both emergency and planned succession plans. By announcing his departure well in advance, Scott aims to support the Board of Directors as they conduct a thorough search for the next leader, setting up a seamless transition that prioritizes stability and sets the next leader up for success. Scott is committed to assisting with relationship management and knowledge transfer to the next leader.

A Strong Financial Position: NorthStar is in a strong financial position; with strong operating & capital cash reserves and no debt.  Transitioning now ensures the organizations financial position and predictability can be an asset as a new leader comes on board.

A Natural Next Chapter for the Organization: It’s important for founders to identify a time to step aside and let a new leader carry the mission forward. NorthStar has reached a critical milestone with strong programs and established facilities. With these foundational elements in place, it’s the right time for a new leader to build on this legacy and lead the organization into its next phase of service.

A Professional Next Chapter: Leading a youth-serving organization for 18 years is deeply rewarding but also demanding as the needs of the young men we serve are 24/7.  His singular focus on leading NorthStar has necessitated he pause on other professional and personal endeavors.  By stepping away from his leadership role at the end of the year, Scott can transparently pursue the next chapter in his career. He remains passionate about building and is excited to explore new opportunities after leaving NorthStar in a strong position for future success.

A Lifelong Commitment to the Mission: Even as Scott transitions out of his role at the end of the year, he will always support NorthStar, the young men it serves, the alumni he has come to know well, and the dedicated team and community who make the mission possible.  As Scott has shared with the Board relationships built over the last 18 years don’t end they just enter a new chapter.

This leadership transition marks an exciting opportunity for NorthStar to continue thriving with strong leadership, passionate donors, a committed Board, and a deep commitment to the young men it serves.

What are some of the biggest successes from Scott’s tenure as President?

In May 2014, NorthStar opened the NorthStar campus at 49th & Ames Avenues after a successful $14 million Capital Campaign. In March 2019, NorthStar announced its Phase II Capital Campaign to more than double the size of its original 33,000 square-foot facility to 67,000. Construction was completed in January 2021 on the new South and North Wings. The $23 million dollar campaign focused on capital construction, endowment and technology integrations.  The addition of a full-size field turf, lighting stadium project, upgrades to the existing High Ropes Challenge Course on site and internal office renovation was completed in 2022.  In 2023, NorthStar completed the acquisition of the adjacent Lindenwood site after raising an $3 million to purchase and demolish the blighted property enhancing safety for students, families and staff and paving the way for future growth for the NorthStar campus.

Hazelrigg received the Friend of Youth Health Award from the Nebraska Chapter of the American Association of Pediatrics (2022), the Lighthouse Leader Award from Westside Community Schools (2022) and the Friend of Youth Award from Project Harmony (2023) and was inducted into the Aksarben Court of Honor in October 2024 in recognition of his efforts on behalf of youth.