All posts tagged: NSU

SFBW May 2021: Soft Skills Lead to Rock Stars

Junior Achievement Fills In The Gaps That The Traditional Classroom Leaves Behind

By Drew Limsky
South Florida Business & Wealth, May 2021 Edition

“I am a social person,” says high school senior Huguette St Hubert, with her characteristic directness. She recalls feeling “emotionally drained” when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and it became clear to her that her social network, other than her family, was threatening to dry up along with the educational camaraderie she so prizes.

Born in Haiti and now 18, St Hubert emigrated to the United States at 13 to live with her father—and for the educational opportunities—in Fort Lauderdale. She graduated Lauderdale Lakes Middle School without a hitch, but it’s safe to say that St Hubert’s senior year at Fort Lauderdale’s Stranahan High School required some adjustments. Ironically, the most “normal” thing about the last year has revolved around what is arguably the most stressful aspect of a typical senior year: the age old question of which college to choose. (She has narrowed it down to FAU and NSU).

But for St Hubert, Junior Achievement of South Florida— which empowers students through work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy—has proven to be a life raft, both before and during the pandemic. The physical facility—at least pre-COVID— was a hub of activity, a smart simulation of a central business district: “It gives students a glimpse into the business world,” explains Keith Koenig, a longtime sponsor of Junior Achievement and the owner and CEO of City Furniture (his son Andrew serves as president). “There are about 20 different businesses that are $50,000-per-year sponsors, and that’s important foundation funding. We each have a physical presence, a storefront, so students can roleplay as bankers—or working for a furniture company.”

SFBW May 2021: Soft Skills Lead to Rock Stars
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JA Announces New Board Members and Executive Committee

For Immediate Release 

For More Information Contact: 

Christopher Miller, Marketing Manager
Junior Achievement of South Florida
(954) 979-7110 
[email protected] 

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF SOUTH FLORIDA ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

Junior Achievement of South Florida, the go-to expert for entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy programs for 50,000 students in Broward and south Palm Beach counties, welcomes its newest Board Members, and its Executive Committee for 2020-2021. 

Congratulations to the following community leaders on their election to JA’s Board of Directors: 

  • Jeni Chokron, Senior Commercial Relationship Manager & Broward Commercial Team Lead, First Horizon 
  • Jessica Lerner, President and CEO, Community Care Plan 
  • John GoffVice President, Retail Operations, Miami Division, Publix 
  • Kenneth deBritto, CEO, AiMediaGroup 
  • Kim Swears, Managing Partner & Owner, FB Marine Group 
  • Major Kevin Granville, Broward Sheriff’s Office
  • Michelle Martinez Reyes, Chief Relations Officer, KelleKronenberg 
  • Sunem Beaton-Garcia, Campus President and Vice Provost, Academic Services, Broward College North Campus 

Serving on the Executive Committee and Committee Chairs are: 

  • Andrew Koenig,  Board Vice Chair – CITY Furniture 
  • Bob Birdsong, Governance Committee Chair – OK Generators 
  • Brandon Hensler, Marketing/PR/External Affairs Committee Chair – Nova Southeastern University 
  • Brenda Horner, CEO Compensation Committee Chair – Consolidated Credit Solutions 
  • David Greenberg, Innovative Initiatives Committee Chair – Greenberg Capital 
  • Franki SchmidtSecretary –  American Express 
  • Joel D. MayersohnTreasurer, Finance Committee Chair – Dickinson Wright 
  • Mark Walter, Audit Committee Chair – The Legacy Companies 
  • Meaghan Ryan, Programs Committee Chair – Seminole Gaming 
  • Tim Hogans, Community & Government Affairs Committee Chair – NextEra Energy/ FPL 
  • Tim Rubin, Board Chair, Executive Committee Chair –  Kaufman Rossin & Co. 

JA’s Board of Directors is composed of 72 local community leaders with a strong and balanced blend of skills and experiences and who provide guidance to the JA staff and support the mission. 

We are proud to have such a strong, forward-thinking and committed Board who exemplify our mission of training the next generation of business leaders, employees and consumersThis group of dynamic leaders understand our goal to bridge the skills gap of today’s students seeking tomorrow’s jobs and teach essential financial literacy skills to prepare our youth for any situation in life so that they have a better future,” said Laurie Sallarulo, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of South Florida. 

In addition to serving on several committees, JA’s Board of Directors also volunteer their time planning and implementing fundraising events and networking opportunities. Learn more about the JA Board of Directors at www.jasouthflorida.org/board-of-directors 

“Congratulations to the newest members of our Board of Directors. Despite what obstacles are thrown our way, I look forward to another prosperous year helping Junior Achievement become a thought leader and solution provider in our greater community,” said Tim Rubin, Board Chair. 

 About Junior Achievement of South Florida 

Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 7,100 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and south Palm Beach counties and at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit www.JASouthFlorida.org. Follow JA on social media @jasouthflorida. 

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Pictured above: Junior Achievement of South Florida’s newest Board Members (left to right, top row) Sunem Beaton-Garcia, Jeni Chokron, Kenneth deBritto, John Goff, Major Kevin Granville, Jessica Lerner, Michelle Martinez-Reyes and Kim Swears.  

JA Announces New Board Members and Executive Committee
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