Volunteer Spotlight: Zach Schmit

Author: Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Published: Monday, 26 Jan 2026

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Image caption: Enter an image captionCorridor Community Impact Board Member and Junior Achievement volunteer Zach Schmit is helping students discover what’s possible for their futures—one JA experience at a time.

Born and raised in Iowa, Zach Schmit brings a powerful mix of entrepreneurship, leadership, and passion for lifelong learning to his role as a Junior Achievement (JA) board member and volunteer. A graduate of North Fayette High School and Coe College, Zach’s career has spanned sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship—experiences that now inform his work as Head of Operations and Owner of Covenant Workplace Solutions. Outside of work, he is also a certified nutrition coach, personal trainer, and avid marathoner, embodying the drive and discipline he encourages in students.

Zach’s journey with Junior Achievement began in 2018, initially sparked by access to volunteer time off through a previous employer. What stood out immediately was a sense of “I wish I had this when I was in school.” That realization quickly turned into long-term involvement—both in the classroom and at the leadership level. He has served on the Corridor Community Impact Board (CIB) since its creation in 2023, helping guide JA’s mission and impact across Eastern Iowa.

As a volunteer, Zach doesn’t point to one specific JA lesson or activity as a favorite—“It’s all good stuff,” he says. For him, the most rewarding part is watching students light up as concepts click into place. Seeing their excitement as they connect real-world ideas around money, careers, and entrepreneurship is what keeps him coming back. “Just watching them get super excited every time you show up and it’s time for JA” is a reminder of how meaningful these experiences are.

Zach believes some of the most valuable lessons students gain through JA are understanding the difference between entrepreneurship and traditional employment, learning how money really works beyond credit, and being exposed to the wide range of career paths available to them—including global opportunities.

Serving on the JA board has strengthened Zach’s belief in the power of a unified approach to financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship education. He values the collaboration among board members from diverse industries and backgrounds who are all working toward the same goal. “They are the future,” Zach says, simply, when asked why JA’s mission matters.

Through his role on the board, Zach aims to add value wherever possible—whether that’s volunteering in classrooms, making meaningful connections, or helping open doors to new opportunities. For anyone considering volunteering with Junior Achievement, his advice is clear: “Go for it. You’ll be glad you did—no matter who you are, what your background is, or where you’re from.”

Zach believes storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to encourage others to get involved. Sharing student success stories—from a single class to long-term outcomes—helps show the real impact of Junior Achievement. “It allows people to be part of something much bigger than themselves,” he says. “It’s playing both the short game and the long game.”

We’re grateful for Zach’s leadership, energy, and commitment to Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa—and for the lasting impact he’s helping create for students across our region.