From the Ballpark to the Classroom: Andrea Brommelkamp’s Commitment to Empowering Students

Image caption: Andrea Brommelkamp, Business Development at Corda Credit Union, has been volunteering with Junior Achievement since 2013 and now serves on the JAEI Corridor Community Impact Board, helping students explore careers and build confidence for their futures.

For Andrea Brommelkamp, volunteering with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa (JAEI) is more than giving back—it’s a way to help shape the future of her community and ensure students have the knowledge and confidence to succeed.

Originally from the rural Quad Cities area, Andrea graduated from the University of Iowa and chose to stay in the Corridor to build her career and family. While her degree is in Journalism, her professional path has always been rooted in sales and relationship building. She spent over 18 years with the Cedar Rapids Kernels, overseeing group sales and ticketing operations. Although she loved her time there, the long hours and time away from family eventually led her to a new opportunity.

In November 2022, Andrea transitioned into Business Development with Corda Credit Union—a move that brought her career even closer to the values she helps teach through Junior Achievement (JA).

“I love that my career now mirrors what we’re teaching in the classroom through JA,” Andrea shared.

A Decade of Impact in the Classroom

Andrea has been volunteering with Junior Achievement since 2013, teaching elementary students and helping with programs like JA BizTown® Mobile, JA Finance Park® Mobile, and 3DE™ by Junior Achievement. In Fall 2023, she deepened her involvement by joining the JA Corridor Community Impact Board.

She particularly enjoys teaching JA: Our Community to second graders.

“I love 2nd graders—they’re interesting and inquisitive,” Andrea said. “I enjoy watching their little minds work as they learn about different jobs they could have one day, and what money is and how it flows throughout a community. As a mom, I try to impart all the information to them that I would want my son to know.”

Some of her most meaningful moments have come from teaching her own son’s class.

“He may have found it embarrassing to have his mom in the classroom, but I thought it was the best,” she said.

Seeing the Future Through Students’ Potential

One of Andrea’s most impactful experiences was serving as a coach and judge for a 3DE™ case study at Alburnett High School. Watching ninth-grade students research a real company challenge, develop solutions, and present their ideas left a lasting impression.

“I kept forgetting how young the students were,” Andrea said. “There is no way that I was mature or professional enough at age 15 to do that. As a hiring manager, it really has me excited for the future of education and the quality of candidates we’ll be seeing in the workforce in 5 to 10 years.”

Andrea believes one of the greatest benefits of Junior Achievement is the exposure it provides.

“Students only know what they’ve seen,” she explained. “JA provides so many additional opportunities for students to explore careers that they may not otherwise be familiar with.”

Leading and Strengthening the Community

Through her role on the JAEI Community Impact Board, Andrea has gained a deeper understanding of the organization’s reach and importance.

“Being on the board has given us a front-row seat to all of the new and innovative programming being implemented,” she said. “I also now have a better understanding of how many students JA is serving locally and why it’s so important that we work to bring awareness to the organization and recruit more volunteers.”

Andrea believes Junior Achievement plays a vital role in strengthening communities by preparing students for the future.

“It’s our responsibility as community members to impart our knowledge and expertise on young people so that they may grow to be successful and contributing community members. JA is a catalyst helping us fulfill that cycle.”

Inspiring Others to Get Involved

For Andrea, volunteering with JA has been one of the most rewarding ways to give back.

“Honestly, it’s the best hour you’ll spend all week,” she said. “The work you do is rewarding, and the students have a way of lifting you up in such a positive way. I always walk away from JA with a little more pep in my step.”

What began with teaching a single second-grade class has grown into more than a decade of service, leadership, and impact.

“I had an amazing experience, and it has blossomed into something I couldn’t imagine not being a part of,” Andrea said.

Through her volunteerism and leadership, Andrea is helping create opportunities for students to learn, grow, and discover what’s possible—strengthening the future of Eastern Iowa one classroom at a time.