Cheryll Watson, president & CEO. Photo by Rebecca Lippiatt.
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF CREATING ENTREPRENEURS Written By Nerissa McNaughton | Published by Brent Trimming
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unior Achievement (JA) has been launching careers and helping youth understand the vast world of business in our region for 60 years. To say that this exciting organization has made a life-changing impact on thousands of students is an understatement. It’s not just the students either – JA leaves an impression on everyone it touches, from the mentors that go to the schools to the team members that keep the organization running. Now, as JA celebrates 60 years, it seems an appropriate time to look back at this organization’s beginnings and highlight how business mentors are poised to support young entrepreneurs in northern Alberta into the next era. Cheryll Watson, president and CEO, loves how the seeds of the organization took root in, and remain with, the business community.
“That is one of the most compelling points about JA in general. It was not only founded but funded by the business community,” she says. “These leaders saw a need, did something about it and continue to be actively involved. I see the business community as being the engine of JA right from the start, which continues to power our mission today.” The local JA chapter has not only achieved a milestone anniversary of 60 years, this year is also the 44th anniversary of JA’s Northern Alberta Business Hall of Fame, an annual event that brings together the business community to honour our region’s most esteemed leaders for their life achievements and service to the economy, community and our future. “JA is a future changer,” she continues. “It positively alters the career trajectory of hundreds of thousands of
Junior Achievement of Northern Alberta • 60 Years
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