Our story
60 years of turning potential into possibility.
Since 1964, Junior Achievement of South Florida has believed something simple and radical: when you give a young person the tools to understand money, work, and opportunity, you don't just change their day — you change their trajectory.
Our mission
We're moving from a program to a promise.
JA is reimagining education to accelerate economic mobility — empowering students to overcome systemic barriers and live opportunity-filled futures.
We do it through three connected building blocks delivered as hands-on, real-world experiences: financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship. Not theory. Not a worksheet. A mini-city where kids run businesses. A boardroom where teens pitch real companies. A mentor who shows them what's possible.
The result is a generation that's confident, capable, and connected — ready to drive our economy and lead our community.
What we believe
Our values guide every classroom we enter.
Belief in youth
Every young person has the potential to succeed. We meet them where they are and help them reach further than they thought possible.
Passion & integrity
We do what we say, measure what matters, and steward every dollar with the seriousness our mission deserves.
Diversity & inclusion
South Florida's students are wonderfully diverse. Our programs, volunteers, and stories reflect every one of them.
Economic empowerment
Financial literacy is a gateway to freedom. We hand kids the keys early.
Collaboration
Nurturing partnerships with schools, volunteers, and the business community to do together what none of us could alone.
Innovation
We embrace change and bold ideas, constantly evolving how we prepare youth for a fast-changing economy.
Our history
Six decades of momentum.
From a handful of classrooms to one of the most respected JA areas in the country.
Be part of the next chapterJA comes to South Florida
A small group of business leaders brings Junior Achievement to local classrooms, planting a seed that would grow for generations.
The volunteer movement grows
Corporate South Florida steps up — thousands of professionals begin mentoring students each year.
JA World Huizenga Center opens
A landmark experiential learning facility in Coconut Creek — home to JA BizTown and Career Discovery Park.
3DE reimagines high school
JA brings case-method, business-connected learning to local high schools, transforming the four-year experience.
80,000 students a year
One of JA's largest and most impactful areas — and just getting started on the next 60 years.
Governance
Board of Directors
More than 50 of South Florida's most committed civic and business leaders, united behind one mission: opportunity for every young person.
Officers
Chair
Andrew Koenig
CITY Furniture
Vice Chair
Greg Thompson
JA of South Florida
Secretary
Ryan Cronin
CITY Furniture
Treasurer
Tamara Rodriguez
Island TV
Immediate Past Chair
Tim Rubin
Lifestyle Media Group
Directors
- Alfredo AguirreMerrill Lynch Wealth Management
- Christine BattlesAdvanced Mechanical Enterprises
- Jeff BishopRyder
- Sherry BradleyCohnReznick
- Sidney CallowayShutts & Bowen LLP
- Kim CamposUniversal Property & Casualty
- Renato CartelliBDO
- Donell CruzRick Case Automotive
- Matt DiGregorioLockton
- Robyn Raphael DynanRCC Associates
- Seth EllisEllis Law Group
- Rick FarahSalesforce
- Ritika FerwaniJM Family Enterprises
- Michael FischlerFischler & Friedman, P.A.
- Monica FrankEY
- Dr. Howard HepburnBroward County Public Schools
- Manish HiraparaPeakActivity
- Jessica LernerCommunity Care Plan
- Wendy LiebowitzJ.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
- Tom LoffredoGrayRobinson
- Jacqueline LorberSouth Florida Symphony Orchestra
- Dr. Jamie ManburgNova Southeastern University
- Catherine MandellPhase3 Business Services
- Robert MorcosNEXA
- Stuart MorrisCozen O'Connor
- Zach MorrisonTinuiti
- Marc NudelbergOn The Ball
- Major Renee PetersonBroward Sheriff's Office
- Julio RamirezFifth Third Bank
- Julio RoqueSynovus
- Michael SafraDeloitte
- Christine ShawFlorida Power & Light
- Don SilvestriDebt.com
- Jennifer StarkeyTD Bank
- Caitlin StellaMemorial Healthcare System
- Nicky TesserJetBlue
- Matthew VergaKPMG
- Mark S. WalterCITY Furniture
- Chaz WarringtonDEX Imaging
- Julie Williamson-BressetBank of America
- Giancarlo ZunigaTruist
The team
Executive leadership
A passionate team of educators, fundraisers, and operators who make 80,000 student experiences happen every year — led by an experienced executive team.
Laurie Sallarulo
President & CEO
Monica McNerney
Chief Operating Officer
Allie Martinez
Chief Financial Officer
Myra Brown
Chief Programs Officer
Stephanie Theile
Chief of Staff
Sharon Alexander
Director of Philanthropy
Careers
Do the best work of your life — for kids.
Join a team where your work has a measurable, life-changing return. We're regularly hiring across education, development, events, and operations.
- ✓ Mission-driven culture with real impact
- ✓ Competitive benefits & generous PTO
- ✓ Professional growth and a seat at the table
Help us write the next 60 years.
Your gift, your time, or your company's partnership turns belief into opportunity for South Florida's youth.