We're creating paths of opportunity for the future.

Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South has been dedicated to educating students about entrepreneurship, work-readiness, and financial literacy since 1955. Through an extensive offering of experiential, hands-on programs, JA empowers students by helping them discover the tools they need to succeed in today’s economy.

More than 20,000 students participate in JA programs each year throughout the Greater Memphis area. Our programs are taught by volunteers from all walks of life, including: business people, college students, parents and retirees. These dedicated individuals are the backbone of our organization.

Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South began teaching students practical, real-world skills in 1955. We are the community’s oldest organization dedicated to providing young people with the tools necessary to succeed in a global economy.

JA’s programs focus on the areas of work-readinessentrepreneurship, and financial literacy. In Memphis, more than 20,000 students participate in JA each year. Our programs are taught by volunteers from all walks of life, including: business people, college students, parents and retirees. These dedicated individuals are the backbone of our organization.

There are many ways to be involved with JA from volunteering in a classroom, helping during a JA BizTown simulation, or participating in a special event. We’d love to hear from you.

Leigh Mansberg

Bill Duff

Chief Financial Officer
bduff@jamemphis.org

Steve French

Chief Operations Officer
sfrench@jamemphis.org

Kesha Ivy

Chief Academic Officer
kivy@jamemphis.org

Alison Welch Elder

Director of Capstone Education 
awelch@jamemphis.org

Andrew Duff

Edward (EJ) Canny

High School Program Coordinator
ecanny@jamemphis.org

Kimberly Hooper-Taylor

JA Inspire Coordinator
khooper-taylor@jamemphis.org

94904298-3757-40F5-AEC4-265299514674 (2)

Megan Ryan

Special Events and Development Coordinator
mryan@jamemphis.org

Mary Kanowitz

Senior Development Manager
mkanowitz@jamemphis.org

Timberly Taylor

Director of Site Based Learning and Teacher Education
ttaylor@jamemphis.org

Tenela Blakney

Volunteer and School Recruitment Manager
tblakney@jamemphis.org

Board Officers

Board Chair:
Brandon Cooper, Simmons Bank

Vice Chair: D’Andrea Franklin, AutoZone

Corporate Secretary:
Karen Koplon, Harris Shelton

Treasurer:
Jason Campbell, FedEx

JA President & CEO:
Leigh Mansberg

Chair, Audit Committee:
Adam King, Deloitte

Chair, Program Committee:
Pearson Crutcher, Society of Entrepreneurs

Board of Directors

Tarek Dernaika, Truist

Brenda Duckett, Community Leader

Dr. Sha Fanion, Tennessee New Teacher Project

Rick Fogelman, Fogelman Properties

Cassie Lynn Foote, American Public Education Foundation

Justin Gentry, Ernst & Young LLP

Jason Gillum, Millenium Search

Sheleah Harris, Kroger Companies

Scotty Hendricks, New York Life

Tunisha Hobson, Advance CTE

Charlie House, AutoZone

Samuel King

Kelly Lomax, Dunavant Enterprises

Dr. Mary McDonald, MCD Partners

Kevin McEniry, nexAir

Kimberly Moore, Regions Bank

Brittney Murray, UTHSC (JA Young Professionals Board Liaison)

Alana Hu Perković, First Horizon

Brad Phillips, KPMG

Steve Swain, Pinnacle Financial Partners

Ted Townsend, Greater Memphis Chamber

Scott Trammell, Strategic Financial Partners

Alonzo Weaver, MLGW

Kenneth Worles, Three(i) Creative Communications