Rooted in JA: Ten Years, Thousands of Students, and a Reminder of Why It Matters

When I moved into my office at Junior Achievement of Central Iowa 10 years ago, I had a few things to unpack and a lot to learn about the organization I was stepping in to lead. But before I got too far into settling in, I knew what I wanted on my wall: thank-you notes from students I had as a JA classroom volunteer.

I framed and hung them up. The notes were funny, heartwarming, and inspiring. They were the kind of messages that make you smile while reminding you why your work matters. I couldn't have known then how often I'd look at those letters over the next decade.

Leading an organization means making decisions about how to grow and where to invest. Those responsibilities matter, but the letters on my wall keep me focused on the people behind those decisions. The students whose lives we hope to impact.

Over the past decade, JA has grown in ways I couldn't have imagined on my first day. Our team has expanded from six to 31, and the number of students we serve each year has increased from approximately 14,000 to 44,000. I'm proud of that progress, not simply because we've grown, but because it means more students can experience learning that connects what happens in the classroom to life beyond it.

Some of the moments that stay with me most are the ones that bring me back to those letters. The excitement on students' faces as they walk into JA BizTown, or the moment they realize a financial decision can have real consequences. I love seeing students discover that what they're learning has a place in their lives.

Those moments have shaped my first 10 years at JA, and they're a big part of why I'm excited about the work ahead.

The world students are preparing to enter is changing quickly. Technology and artificial intelligence are reshaping the workplace, making it increasingly important for young people to know how to think critically and apply their skills in unfamiliar situations. That's one reason I'm particularly excited about 3DE, JA's high school instructional model, which we launched last year.

Through 3DE, students tackle real-world business challenges and apply classroom concepts to problems without simple answers. They learn to work through complexity and see how their education connects to the workplace.

What excites me most is watching that connection take shape. Students have an opportunity to put their learning into practice, while educators can bring greater relevance to the classroom. Businesses also play an important role by introducing students to the kinds of challenges they'll encounter in their careers.

This is what JA can offer as an education and workforce partner, a bridge between what students learn in school and what they'll need to succeed beyond graduation.

We see that connection in JA Finance Park, too. Since launching the experiential learning center five years ago, we've given students the opportunity to experience the realities of managing money. They explore careers, build budgets and make decisions about the lifestyle they hope to afford.

It's one thing to talk about budgeting in a classroom. It's another to realize that the lifestyle you want comes with rent or a mortgage, transportation costs and plenty of other expenses. Adulting is hard and expensive.

These experiences help students understand how career choices influence earning potential and how financial decisions can shape their options over time. That knowledge matters because economic mobility isn't just about having a job. It's also about having the skills and confidence to make informed choices and work toward greater financial security.

When schools and businesses work with JA, we can make these lessons more tangible and help students better understand the opportunities available to them.

When I reflect on my 10 years at JA, I'm proud of how far we've come. We've built a stronger organization and expanded our reach, but what keeps me motivated is the opportunity to make a difference in students' lives. That work depends on people who believe and step forward to invest in the mission. I'm grateful to our educators, volunteers, funders, and business partners who give their time and expertise to help students learn. Their involvement makes experiences possible that students might not otherwise have.

There are many challenges and opportunities ahead. The needs of students and employers will continue to change, and JA must keep finding ways to respond. But I believe deeply in what can happen when young people have the opportunity to connect their education to the world around them.

I've learned that the impact of this work often begins with a small moment. A new idea, a challenge overcome or a student realizing they're capable of more than they thought. When I need a reminder of why those moments matter, I look at the letters on my office wall.

Ten years later, those letters are still there - I hung them there on my first day because they captured what JA meant to me then. Today, they remind me that while our organization has grown and our learning experiences have evolved, the heart of our work remains the same. It's about helping students see what's possible for themselves and giving them the opportunity to take that next step.