Promotion of Sally Eastman to Senior Director of Development & Community Partnerships
A dedicated team member for 13 years, Eastman will provide strategic leadership for fundraising, community engagement, workforce development partnerships, and initiatives that connect students with opportunities to achieve economic mobility.
In her expanded role, she will continue leading efforts such as CareerSpark and CareerLaunch while strengthening relationships with businesses, educators,...
Julie Bonar Named President of Junior Achievement of Central Illinois
Junior Achievement of Central Illinois has announced the appointment of Julie Bonar as its new President, effective October 26, 2026. Bonar brings extensive nonprofit leadership experience and a passion for empowering young people. She succeeds Mary Pille, who is retiring after 13 years of service during which JA nearly doubled its student impact and expanded its reach across Central...
From Learning to Earning: How Skills Build the Foundation for Economic Growth
For today’s students, the journey from learning to earning is more complex than ever before. A rapidly evolving economy shaped by technological innovation, shifting workforce demands, and new career pathways requires more than academic knowledge alone. It requires a strong foundation of skills that can translate into real-world success. We believe that building these skills early is essential not...
Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders: Junior Achievement and Staples Expand Partnership
Preparing students for the future of work takes more than classroom instruction—it takes collaboration between educators, communities, and the business leaders shaping tomorrow’s workforce. That’s why Junior Achievement USA is proud to expand its partnership with Staples to help more students across the country gain access to career-connected learning...
CareerSpark Engages Middle School Students in Career Exploration
Olympia Middle School welcomed 255 sixth- and seventh-grade students today for CareerSpark, a hands‑on career exploration event designed to introduce students to a wide range of future opportunities. Through interactive demonstrations and conversations with local professionals, students gained valuable insight into careers in healthcare, skilled trades, public safety, education, finance,...
JA’s Outcomes-Based Strategic Blueprint
At Junior Achievement, we believe every student deserves a future filled with choices and opportunities. That belief is the foundation of JA’s outcomes-based strategic blueprint; a clear, intentional approach to education that starts not with programs, but with the outcomes that matter most for students’ long-term...
Preparing Students for What’s Next: Key Insights from a Recent JA Alumni Survey
Our recent survey of Gen Z and Millennial JA alumni demonstrate and reflects the tangible ways JA is helping students prepare...
Education for What’s Next: Powering Economic Mobility
What’s next? It’s the question on everyone’s mind. Technologies we’ve never seen before are reshaping the world in ways we never imagined. Jobs people rely on today may not exist...
The ROI of Investing in Youth: Why Economic Mobility is a Community Imperative
When we talk about “return on investment,” our minds often jump to balance sheets, bottom lines, and quarterly reports. But what if the greatest ROI isn’t financial in the short term but social, economic, and generational in the long...
Gen Z's Career Confidence vs. Future Challenges: What Today’s Teens Really Think About Work, AI, and Education
As American teens stand on the brink of adulthood, they're navigating a rapidly changing world — one shaped by artificial intelligence, shifting views on higher education, and increasing financial pressure. But according to new research from Junior Achievement USA and Citizens, despite these mounting challenges, today’s teens are still remarkably optimistic about the...
