Stronger Together | Junior Achievement 2021 Annual Report

R E G N O R ST OGETHER T pening e e d d n rships a ented year e n t r a p preced ying our n f u i s n r a e v h i D Report roug l h a t u t n c a n 2021 A our imp

Chairman and President Letter

“Needed, Relevant and Supportive” The 2020-2021 school year was an unprecedented

of our operations. Despite all the challenges, we are

year for Junior Achievement. With many schools

proud of how quickly and robustly the JA community

operating remotely and students learning in virtual

responded and lived the commitment we established

formats, we had to innovate on nearly every element

early in the pandemic - to stay “needed, relevant and supportive”.

Jeremy Race President & CEO Matthew Cambi Principal, PwC JA Board Chair

Click to learn more about how JA responded to Covid-19

Click to view JA’s Vision and Purpose

Click to view JA At a Glance

It was clear that in order to meet our educators and corporate partners where they were, we needed to pivot our approach to both programs and special events. Therefore, in the summer of 2020, we formed 12 planning committees, comprised of more than 100 volunteers, to redesign and virtualize literally everything we do. The result was a series of creative and innovative plans that led to highly successful virtual programs that powerfully engaged students, teachers, volunteers, and community leaders as well as interactive special events that raised much-needed funds and inspired attendees with the life-changing impact of JA on young people.

As with many organizations, the pandemic spawned a

No JA? No Way! Hear experiences from members of our community

We proudly finished the fiscal year in the strongest financial position in our history, thanks to the loyalty and generosity of our incredible corporate, individual, and foundation donors.

meet the needs of our loyal partners.

Thanks to you, we are now positioned to make even greater impact in the coming years and plans are already under way to launch new programs, hire new staff, and make improvements to our infrastructure to ensure greater efficiencies and outcomes.

And despite the disruption and related economic

Though it’s still too early to know when JA volunteers

uncertainty, we made a commitment to our staff,

will physically be back in classrooms, our plan is

realizing that the only way to successfully navigate

to continue with virtual models and continue our

our way through this challenging time was to

commitment to developing real solutions to real

“produce our way out” not “cut our way out”. And

problems and making student impact our number

produce we did. Thanks to our dedicated team, we

one goal.

great deal of reflection and caused us to redouble our commitment to finding ways to further deepen the impact JA has on the students we serve. We made it a priority to establish JA as a true solution provider, not just a program provider. With impact as our main driver, we listened attentively to our constituents and tailored programs and volunteer opportunities to

served more than 16,000 students in a totally new medium and in deep, intensive, and meaningful

Thank you for your continued support of JA. To all of

ways. And remarkably, nearly 100% of our student

our donors, volunteers, and educators…YOU make

interactions were accompanied by a JA volunteer,

it possible for JA board members and staff to work

maintaining the core volunteer component of JA’s

tirelessly each day to empower young people to own

mission for the past century.

their economic success. YOU are the fuel to the JA engine that helps make so many students’ dreams come true.

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Career Readiness

Career Readiness Of Junior Achievement’s three primary learning pathways (financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship), work and career readiness experiences have been in great demand from local schools throughout the pandemic. Why? The answer is simple. Young people, now more than ever, need opportunities to explore the world of work. They need critical soft-skills and mentors from business to show them the path to future success.

And in the world of work, there is a tremendous need for a stronger and more diverse talent pipeline. In partnership with business and community, JA’s career exploration and workforce development programming are perfect conduits for shrinking the racial wealth gap, setting students up for long-term career success, and supporting thriving industries in recruiting skilled talent.

Of the more than 16,000 students served last year, a large majority of JA’s virtual programming efforts centered around work and career inspiration and exploration. Students actively and excitedly Click here to view a JA program in action

participated in mock interviews and resume writing workshops. Said one JA volunteer,

“With permission, I have already reached out to one of the students I interviewed and I have asked him to come in for a real interview for a job with my company. That to me is a success for everyone involved.”

– Volunteer, The Star Supply Co.

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Career Readiness

Other JA students gained paid employment, thanks to their participation in Jr. Apprentice, a year-long work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy initiative for inner-city Hartford students that involves weekly training, off-site experiential learning at businesses and institutions of higher education, and culminates with each student earning a paid internship at a local business. One student was even invited back for a paid position with the company they interned with during the program.

Learn how JA helped prepare AJ Daley for a successful career

Though all of JA’s programming was virtual in 2020-21, IMPACT remained the primary goal. We innovated and developed a series of new programs aimed at reaching students where they were, while simultaneously ensuring the critical component of JA programs, the volunteer, remained. Virtual Career Panels and Career Days were created and allowed literally thousands of Connecticut students to meet real people from real businesses. Keeping in mind that 51% of JA students go into the career or industry of their JA volunteer, these experiences proved to be life-changing.

Career Panels & Speaker Series

Career Days

Professionals from a variety of industries shared

JA worked with schools to customize Career

their experiences in their fields as well as the

Days based on student interest and feedback.

career process via live or recorded video

These experiences consisted of live virtual events

conferencing. Students were introduced to

with several speakers from various in-demand

more than 35 different careers!

industries. Career Days took place at more than 7 schools in 2020-21.

“The lessons and advice I will take away from the presentation is to make goals and once I accomplish them, and then make new ones. Another is to not give up and that we make our own goals and destiny’s. We are in control of that. I loved all of the presenters and I want to learn more!”

- 10th grade student, CREC Greater Hartford Arts Academy As we head into a new school year, we plan to continue customizing and innovating our approach based on the needs and goals of our partners. We will continue to meet our students where they are and look forward to finding new ways to change the lives of local students through impactful, volunteer-led experiences.

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JA By The Numbers

JA By The Numbers Students inspired virtually with JA programming

16,546

Engaged students from 98 schools

775

virtual volunteers

Click to learn about how to be a Volunteer

Nearly

100%

of our students had volunteer interactions

Officially worked with

136

unique companies

JA By The Numbers

Click to view our Diversity Handout

641

programs complete

70+

new videos in the virtual library Click here to watch

one now!

2000+ views of

online content

TRIPLED

number of diverse organizations and affinity groups

50% increase in diverse career panelists Increased from

11% to 20% Board Diversity in the last two years

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Special Events

Special Events

Click to learn more about Special Events

Thanks to the leadership and support of the board, dedicated event committee members, corporate sponsors, and generous individuals, JA had an incredibly successful year of virtual and in-person events. We are proud to have had near sellout crowds and collectively raised over $659,000 with more than 1,000 individuals participating in the JA Golf Classic, JA Virtual Business Hall of Fame, JA Virtual Partners in Achievement Breakfast, JA Virtual Office Warriors, and various Play 4 JA events.

The proceeds from these events not only helped bring valuable JA programs to thousands of Connecticut students virtually during an unprecedented year, but also provided opportunities for those same young people to make valuable connections with members of the business community and be inspired for their future careers. Many of JA’s events invite alumni back to share their JA stories through speaking engagements, networking opportunities, and program highlights.

Through these experiences, many alumni have not only gained the confidence they need to be successful, but have landed internship and employment opportunities.

JA Partners in Achievement Breakfast Each year, JA proudly holds its annual Partners in Achievement fundraising breakfasts in Hartford and New Haven. These events celebrate JA’s impact in the community, showcase students who have experienced JA in their classrooms, and highlight the critical need for financial literacy, work-readiness, and entrepreneurial programs in local schools. This year, we decided to combine our two breakfasts into one virtual event.

Click to watch more on JA Partners in Achievement Breakfast

JA’s Virtual Partners in Achievement Breakfast included an innovative networking experience followed by impactful testimonials from our talented JA students, alumni, and educators.

Over 400 people joined us on the interactive platform, REMO, where they were able to jump table to table to virtually connect and network with their colleagues and friends before the formal presentation began.

JA Golf Classic On June 7th at Tumble Brook Country Club in Bloomfield, we were thrilled to bring our JA Golf Classic back in-person for 2021. This tournament has earned a well-deserved reputation as the premier golf event in Central New England. We had a great turnout with 47 foursomes which included business leaders throughout Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and beyond. New this year, golfers experienced an exclusive online gift lounge prior to the event where they were able to shop their favorite brands and select their unique gift package. Special thank you Photo Credit: Michael Benson Photography

to our returning top sponsors - Saint Francis Hospital, the Presenting Sponsor, and Stanley Black & Decker, the Apparel Sponsor.

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Special Events

JA Business Hall of Fame Each year, JA holds its JA Business Hall of Fame events in Hartford and New Haven to honor both individuals and organizations who have made a significant impact in both business and the community. This year, we chose to combine these two events into one virtual experience.

JA’s Virtual Business Hall of Fame was hosted LIVE through an exclusive and interactive online platform which included a digital program book, livestream video, chat function, and more! The event shined a spotlight on seven remarkable individuals who have made a significant impact in the Hartford and New Haven communities. More than 200 guests joined us live, with celebrity emcee Bill Griffeth, CNBC's Anchor-at-Large, and closed out the night with special guests the Yale Whiffenpoofs and Broadway stars Dan’yelle Williamson

Click to watch more on JA Business Hall of Fame

Celebrity Emcee, Bill Griffeth, Anchor-At-Large, CNBC

and Derrick Davis.

The Business Hall of Fame Honored: Laureate – Greg Barats, President & Chief Executive Officer, Hartford Steam Boiler

Spirit of Hope Award – Don Shaw, Jr., Retired Associate Partner, Accenture Director Emeritus, Hartford Habitat for Humanity

Laureate – Yvette Melendez, President, YMR Consulting

Community Leadership Award – Michael R. Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center

Laureate – Anthony Scillia, Regional Managing Partner, New England, Marcum LLP

Entrepreneur Award – Donna Lecky, CFO & Co-Founder, HealthVenture

Entrepreneur Award – Sri Muthu, CEO & Managing Founder, HealthVenture

JA Office Warriors JA's Virtual Office Warriors consisted of three virtual games - Family Feud, Scavenger Hunt and Trivia. Eight teams went in and out of break-out rooms competing against each other to win the coveted Golden Paper Shredder! Teams created virtual backgrounds to show their spirit and stand out from the rest. More than 60 “warriors” attended and participated in this office-Olympic themed event raising over $33,000. Congrats to BL Companies for taking home the Gold Medal, ConnectiCare - Silver Medal, Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina - Bronze Medal, and Harvard Pilgrim, our Spirit and Originality Award Winner.

The Gold Medal Sponsor was Stanley Black & Decker with ConnectiCare and VOYA serving as Silver Medal and Bronze Medal Sponsors, respectively. We look forward to being back in person next spring!

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Scholarships

Scholarships Click to hear from Sabrina

Sabrina Green

Click to hear from Gabe

Gabe Bermudez

Received the Elaine Dwyer Scholarship Student from Bulkeley High School in Hartford

Received the Elaine Dwyer Scholarship Student from New Britain High School

Sabrina’s involvement with JA has been extensive: Career

Gabe’s involvement with the JA Company Program

Connections for Young Women, the Entrepreneurial

came during the spring 2020 Entrepreneurial Academy

Academy three times (was at the 2019 Hall of Fame selling

with The Hartford – where he stuck with it even after

the portable chargers), and the Lou Golden Student

many other peers dropped out when COVID hit. He’s spent

Leadership Conference. She spent her time at BHS also

his time at NBHS volunteering with Hands on Hartford,

playing varsity volleyball, was BHS College Awareness

chairing the School Yearbook committee, as a member of

Ambassador, volunteered at the Bloomfield public library,

the National Honor Society, among other pursuits. Gabe

and more. Sabrina will be attending the Rochester

will be attending the University of Saint Joseph, where he

Institute of Technology, where she will be creating an

will study bio chemistry.

individualized major studying engineering, environmental science, psychology, and business / entrepreneurship.

She looks forward to volunteering for JA through RIT.

“During my past four years, I was able to enhance my leadership skills while gaining more awareness and interest in entrepreneurship.”

– Sabrina Green

Elaine Dwyer Scholarship: This is a $1,000 scholarship named in honor of long time JA Chief Administrative Officer, Elaine Dwyer. Elaine dedicated 41 years to JA and was, herself, a participant in the JA Company Program as a high school student.

The Elaine Dwyer Scholarship is awarded to seniors who participated in the JA Company Program and demonstrated exceptional leadership, teamwork, and entrepreneurial spirit.

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Scholarships

Click to hear from Lauren

Lauren Simonian

Click to hear from Yianni

Yianni Constantinou

Received Karl Flemke Memorial Scholarship Student from Farmington High School

Received JA of Southwest New England Scholarship Student from Oxford High School

Lauren’s involvement with JA came as part of the 2021 JA

Involved with JA through OHS’s FBLA program, Yianni

Entrepreneurial Academy as President of Deskable. This

taught 4 JA Days (on track for 8 prior to COVID), was CEO of

was alongside being Senior Captain of the varsity field

the 2021 Entrepreneurial Academy with The Hartford, and

hockey team, teaching coding to elementary students

was a Student Ambassador at the 2020 New Haven Hall of

during Hour of Code events, creating a program to teach

Fame. This comes alongside being Captain of OHS’s varsity

elementary students how to play lacrosse, serving as

swim & dive team, President and PR Director of the Student

chairperson of her church’s ACYOA Youth Group, and more.

Council, and more. Yianni will be attending the University

Lauren will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute,

of Connecticut as a Finance major.

where she will study biomedical engineering.

"I wanted to thank you all again for awarding me this generous scholarship. I am extremely grateful for all the opportunities I've been given through JA and I’m humbled by this honor.

This award will go a long way as an investment in my career and future, and I hope to make you proud as I embark on my college career at the University of Connecticut."

-Yianni Constantinou

Karl Flemke Memorial Scholarship: This is a $1,000 scholarship named in honor of a former JA USA President, Karl Flemke, and is awarded to a senior who participated in varsity athletics as well as Junior Achievement programming, while demonstrating exceptional leadership, teamwork, and academic achievement.

JA of SWNE, Inc. Scholarship: This is a $1,000 scholarship awarded to a senior who actively participated in Junior Achievement programs, while demonstrating exceptional leadership, teamwork, and academic achievement. [This scholarship was created to model the Flemke Memorial Scholarship, but without the varsity athletics requirement so all seniors who participated in JA could apply for a scholarship]

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2021-22

Board of Directors Jill Albertelli SVP, Transformation and Strategy Pratt & Whitney

Jonathan Collett, CPA Partner CohnReznick

Terrell Hill, PhD Superintendent Windsor Public Schools

Donald Allan, Jr. President & Chief Finance Officer Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

Joseph DeSantis Partner Deloitte LLP

Matthew Hoffman Vice President Hoffman Auto Group

Francine Austin Owner Francine’s Salon and Day Spa

Thomas DeVitto Director of Marketing/Growth CliftonLarsonAllen

Claude Howard Vice President, Field Claim Management Travelers

Thomas Bailer Principal Executive Support Services, LLC

Christopher Eberly* Life and Producer Solutions IT Lincoln Financial Group

Geoff Hunt Senior Vice President, Engineering Pratt & Whitney

Steven Bonnell* President and CEO Winona PVD

Anne Evans CEO Universal Strategies Limited

Susan Jackson - Treasurer Partner KPMG LLP

Steven Brodrick Vice President, Performance Resiliency & Business Transformation Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

Joseph Farhat, PhD Dean, School of Business Central Connecticut State University

Donna Lecky, JD, MBA CFO & Co-Founder HealthVenture

Paul Foody Vice President, Strategic Business Solutions Group Waste Management

Brian Levine SVP, Commercial Banking, Senior Relationship Manager Bank of America

Michelle Galeota Assitant Principal East Hartford High School

Celia Lofink, PhD Faculty; Clinical Instructor of Management & Undergraduate Program Director, Barney School of Business University of Hartford

Christine Bromberg Partner Robinson & Cole LLP Jay Buth –Chair Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer Eversource Energy Matthew Cambi Immediate Past Chair Principal PwC Trevon Canada CFO / Head of Data Analytics, MLC The Hartford Lawrence Carboni Partner Whittlesey

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Stephen Gallacher, MBA Vice President of Sales Strategy & Business Development ConnectiCare Thomas Goetter President TAG Partners LLC Jason Gutcheon Partner Professional Business Insurers

Brian Carillon Vice President District Manager Centreville Bank

John Guy, Jr. Executive Vice President, Director of Business Banking Webster Bank

Pamela Carpenter COO, National Accounts Travelers

G. Christopher Heyl Vice President of Operations CiDRA Corporate Services

David Louden President Fathom Susan A. Martinelli Office Leader - Hartford & Partner, Assurance Services RSM US LLP Kenneth McGovern President KMR Executive Search LLC Samuel McKnight Retired AT&T Director

Emeritus Board Gregory Alcorn Vice President, Global Partnerships Carrier David Mercier SVP & Chief Operating Officer The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company

Robb Schilberg Metal Trader Prime Materials Recovery, Inc.

Neil Blinderman † Retired GHP Media

Click here to learn more about Neil’s legacy

Nitin Mhatre Chief Executive Officer Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.

Wendy Simoncelli Client Executive, Insurance Industry IBM

James Bolduc Retired Strategic Financial Advisor Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority

Mark Nisbett President & CEO People, Places & Spaces

Jennifer Castro Smithberger Chief Seeder & Cofounder seedership

Edward Bradstreet President Bohan & Bradstreet

Michael Pelletier Managing Principal, Microsoft Services CliftonLarsonAllen

Raymond Sprague* Principal Napatree Advisors

Larry Brown Managing Director Horton International LLC

Celia Peterson* VP, Agile Delivery Transformation Aetna, a CVS Health Company

Tina St. Pierre, CPA Partner Landmark Partners - An Ares Company

Howard Carver Retired Managing Partner Ernst & Young LLP

Thomas Phillips Executive Principal TL Phillips Consulting Services William Piotrowski Vice President, Deputy General Counsel & Secretary Lydall Michael Polo* President/CEO ACMT, Inc. Sean Riegler Partner Ernst & Young LLP David Robinson Executive Vice President & General Counsel The Hartford Kelly Rome Vice President, Product Development Prudential Lynn Rossini Vice President, Philanthropy Hartford Healthcare Pamela Sawyer Outreach and Legislative Assistant Access Health CT

Charles Szilagyi Senior Client Manager, Government Banking Bank of America Bala Thiru Partner/Managing Director Deloitte Consulting Thomas Trumble Retired Partner Private Capital Group, LLC Dawne Ware Senior Vice President/Deputy CFO Arch Insurance Group Michele White* Senior Vice President, Enterprise Contact Center VOYA Edward Whittemore – Secretary Susan Winkler Executive Director Connecticut Insurance and Financial Services (CT IFS) Vice President Metro Hartford Alliance

Chris Fuselier Retired GE Consumer Industrial David Keiser Retired President & COO, Director Alexion Pharmaceuticals Margaret Lawson Retired The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Co. Brendan Lynch Retired, President Pension Operations Travelers Annuity Hugh Manke Partner – New Haven Office Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, PC Raymond Sprague Principal Napatree Advisors Lindsley Wellman President Wellman Consulting Group Diane L Wishnafski Retired Executive VP NewAlliance Bank Deceased * Resigned or board term ended †

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2021-22 | New Haven

Board of Directors Helene Augustine* Bo Bradstreet Vice President Bohan & Bradstreet Gregg Burton Partner Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey, LLP Anthony Castellon Senior Vice President Citizens Bank Robert Coro Partner Marcum, LLP William Creaser Senior Vice President, Northeast Middle Markets Chase Jodie Driscoll Counsel Murtha Cullina LLP

David Finnerty EVP and Chief Operating Officer Guilford Savings Bank

Joseph LoPresti Senior Vice President EBP Supply Solutions

G. Christopher Heyl - Chair Vice President of Operations CiDRA Corporate Services

Kolé Mascoll Vice President, Commercial Banking JP Morgan Chase

David Keiser* Retired President & COO, Director Alexion Pharmaceuticals

Samuel McKnight Retired AT&T Director

Kevin Kiss Senior Manager, Assurance Services RSM US LLP

Camille Murphy Founder & Managing Partner Murphy & Company CPA’s, LLC

Donna Lecky, JD, MBA CFO & Co-Founder HealthVenture

Matthew O’Connor, PhD Dean and Professor of Finance – School of Business Quinnipiac University

Michael Lenkowski* Partner Marcum LLP Brian Levine – Vice Chair SVP, Commercial Banking Senior Relationship Manager Bank of America

Howard Fero, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Business and Leadership Director, Graduate Leadership Programs Albertus Magnus College, The Leadership Doc

Nicholas Lombardi President & CEO OneSource Companies

Susan Rapini* Evelyn Rossetti-Ryan, PhD Chief of Outreach and ACCESS Area Cooperative Educational Services Brian Walker President Walker Training & Consulting

*Resigned or board term ended

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Staff

Click to learn more about our staff

Misty Amarena Development Manager

Joshua Kelly Education Manager – Traditional & Specialty Programs

Julie Armstrong Education Manager – Specialty Programs

Donna Koch Development Assistant

Sumayya Ayoub Senior Education Manager

Jacqueline Lombardi Special Events & Marketing Manager

Lisa Cowell Education Manager- Central District

Kathy Mannion Education Manager – South District

Carole Dicks Office Manager/Executive Assistant

Jeremy Race President & CEO

Nicole Diorio Director of Education

Amanda Teti Grants Coordinator

On behalf of the JA Team, thank you to our teachers, volunteers, donors, and friends of Junior Achievement for your incredible support.

This year was possible because of YOU!

www.jaconn.org Facebook: @JASWNE | Instagram: @_JASWNE | Twitter: @JASWNE | LinkedIn: Junior Achievement of Southwest New England The concept and design for this annual report was developed by our partners at Fathom