44 | OCTOBER 17 • 2024 J
N

S

pencer Lucker was formally 
introduced as the new 
president of NEXTGen 
Detroit at its annual meeting on 
Sept. 4, although he was technically 
voted into the position in May 2023 
and served as incoming president 
for one year. The presidency is also a 
one-year term. 
Lucker has been excited to settle 
into the role, especially after being 
able to observe and be mentored 
by Jennifer Maxbauer, now 
immediate past president, for the 
past year. Lucker was able to observe 
Maxbauer’s decision-making and 
priorities. 
“Now, the buck stops with me. 
It’s an exciting opportunity to apply 
everything I’ve been learning over 
the past year,” Lucker said. 
During the annual meeting at 
Newlab in Detroit, Lucker spoke and 
laid out a vision for the organization 
— a vision closely connected to his 

personal background. 
Lucker’s passion for Detroit’s 
Jewish community, particularly for 
those new to it, can be attributed to 
the fact that he’s a transplant himself. 
A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, 

Lucker moved to the Motor City six 
years ago.
In those six years, Lucker says 
he’s been exposed to the best of 
the Detroit Jewish community, a 
community that reminds him of the 

Southern hospitality he grew up on.
“The Detroit Jewish community 
is so supportive of each other and 
welcoming to new folks, and that 
sentiment and prioritization is 
exactly what I hope to continue to 
strengthen over the next year,” he 
said.
Lucker’s speech at the annual 
meeting noted how NEXTGen 
Detroit, now in its 13th year, is in a 
place where there’s not a ton needing 
to be changed structurally. “It’s a 
well-oiled machine at this point 
— we’re already achieving great 
outcomes and doing great work,” he 
said. 
With that in mind, along with the 
usual goals of growing campaign 
outcomes and participation and 
engagement numbers, what Lucker is 
focused on this year is the way they 
achieve those goals. 
Lucker says his term will focus 
on how they can further open 

NEXTGen Detroit president and Detroit transplant Spencer 
Lucker wants to find new ways to welcome new participants.

DANNY SCHWARTZ SENIOR STAFF REPORTER

NEXT DOR

VOICE OF A NEW GENERATION

Opening 
 His Arms

Spencer Lucker, his 
wife, Stephanie, 
and their 3-year-old 
twins, Avi and Mila

Spencer 
Lucker

