Nearly Two Decades Strong: How Allianz Is Helping Fiver Teens Build Futures

For nearly two decades, the Allianz Foundation for North America has been a dedicated partner in fostering the professional growth of Fiver youth through the Allianz Fellowship. Since 2006, this transformative program has provided 36 Fivers with short-term, structured learning experiences in the nonprofit sector. Through hands-on work with experienced mentors, Allianz Fellows develop key life and leadership skills, deepen their understanding of social issues, and explore potential career paths in both the social and business sectors.

This year, our 2024–2025 Allianz Fellows — Nathalie Perez-Trinidad and Benjamin Aguilar — are making a meaningful impact by supporting Fiver’s Development and Program teams. These placements allow them to gain invaluable experience in the critical operations that keep our mission strong and our programs thriving. Nathalie and Benjamin were selected for their maturity, leadership, and passion for Fiver’s mission. Both have exemplified Fiver’s core values, approaching their roles with flexibility, initiative, and a strong sense of purpose.

Nathalie has supported the Development team, lending her voice and creativity to storytelling, communications, and social media strategy. “The Allianz Fellowship has shown me that running a nonprofit like Fiver takes a mix of passion, commitment, and thoughtful planning,” she reflected. Nathalie also helped launch the first youth-written blogs in our Fiver’s Five newsletter and took the lead on managing our Instagram presence — ensuring Fiver’s story is told from the inside out.

Nathalie exploring Fiver’s photo archive and preparing a social media post highlighting our honorees at our upcoming benefit.

Meanwhile, Benjamin has been an integral part of the Program team, helping plan and run Family Nights, lead hands-on youth activities, and build out initiatives like the Fiver Bodega. “This experience has shown me how nonprofits create opportunities and how important it is to give back to the community,” Benjamin shared. His efforts have helped younger Fivers feel seen and supported, while also developing his own confidence and leadership skills.

Benjamin supporting the program team, working the snow globe making station at a Learn/Tap Hangout @ Mercy Center

Fiver staff who work closely with the Fellows have seen the impact firsthand. “Nathalie plays a key role in shaping our messaging and runs our Instagram with focus and purpose,” shared Omar, Fiver’s Development Manager. Aislee, Fiver’s Program Manager added: “Benjamin consistently leads with compassion and curiosity. His work on outreach and Family Nights has made a meaningful impact on our team and community.”

The impact of the Allianz Fellowship on Fiver youth is clear — and it’s something our partners at Allianz deeply value:

“Not only is Fiver an amazing and consistently impactful organization; the youth who emerge from their programs — the ‘Fivers’ themselves — are among the most talented, motivated, and committed young leaders I’ve ever encountered," said Christopher Worthley, Executive Director at Allianz Foundation for North America (AZFNA). "The Allianz Foundation is beyond proud to support Fiver through occasional project grants and to welcome Fiver alums into our Fellowship and Internship programs."

The Allianz Fellowship is more than just a resume builder — it’s a launchpad. It offers Fiver youth the rare opportunity to step into professional environments, contribute to meaningful projects, and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to run a mission-driven organization.

Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to share that this summer, the Allianz Foundation for North America will provide Fiver with its first-ever program-based grant in support of our 2025 Job Training Program. This comprehensive, four-week initiative is designed for high school-aged youth and includes hands-on workshops, professional development activities, and real-world employment experiences. By the end of the program, participants walk away with a deeper understanding of their strengths and leadership styles — prepared to pursue their goals with confidence. We look forward to expanding this impactful program with the continued support of generous funders like the Allianz Foundation for North America.