About Us
Our Mission Statement
"We believe where you grew up shouldn't determine where you end up. Your Next Step exists to close that gap -- one person at a time."
For You
Your Next Step was built for people who are figuring it out -- not people who already have it all figured out.
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If you're working a job that doesn't feel like the right fit, unsure whether college is the answer, or just need someone to help you take the first step -- you're exactly who we had in mind.
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Thank you for joining us. We look forward to getting to know you, supporting you, and growing with you.
Our Story
In the heart of Chicago, a shared vision united Anastasia Apostol and Delante Lee Bess: to make quality career guidance accessible to every young adult, regardless of background.
Growing up, Anastasia lived in a studio apartment with her mom, uncertain about her options for the future. Fast forward to today, Anastasia brings over a decade of EdTech expertise as CEO -- and with that, the conviction that every single person shouldn't have to face their future alone. With her MBA from the University of Scranton and MA in Organizational Leadership from Lewis University, she designed this curriculum with the goal to transform career exploration from intimidating to inspiring, for learners at all levels.
As CTO, Delante harnesses his technology journey from Harvard to Northeastern University to create intuitive digital experiences where learners naturally engage and thrive. He too was initially unsure about how to pursue his career journey, and after seeing the knowledge available to his peers today -- he feels strongly that this knowledge should be made available to everyone. His goal is to make complex career exploration feel simple and approachable.
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Together, they created "Your Next Step" – an affordable AI-powered platform where students, young adults, and early-career professionals build their futures, one guided step at a time.
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Completing their leadership team is Matt Urban, CMO, whose background in strategic marketing within EdTech and workforce development. With his BA from Miami University, Matt ensures our message reaches those in the community who will benefit most from our platform.
This trio is revolutionizing how students and professionals alike navigate their careers - making expert AI-powered guidance as accessible as a streaming service, but with the potential to shape lifelong success.
