Our Blog
Meet JA volunteer and board member Kyle Baker
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Kyle Baker is Vice President and Director of Retail Banking at Community Bank and Trust and has been a Junior Achievement volunteer for 10 years. After starting as a classroom volunteer, he joined the JA board eight years ago to further support financial education for students. Kyle is passionate about helping young people build strong money management skills and understand how financial decisions...
ENTREPRENEUR AND BOARD MEMBER: ERIC POE
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
Eric Poe is a second-generation leader at Crystal Cold and a member of the Cedar Valley Community Impact Board for Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa. Inspired to get involved after his father was honored at the Cedar Valley Business Hall of Fame, Eric is passionate about helping students build real-world skills and leadership abilities for the future...
Supporting Students Through Real-World Learning: UFG Insurance
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
UFG Insurance is investing in what’s next through its participation in the JA Stock Market Challenge®. Team members bring strategy, collaboration, and energy to this fast-paced simulation—while helping students gain real-world insight into investing, financial decision-making, and market volatility. UFG’s involvement reflects a strong commitment to community support and hands-on learning...
Preparing Students for What’s Next: Key Insights from a Recent JA Alumni Survey
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
Our recent survey of Gen Z and Millennial JA alumni demonstrate and reflects the tangible ways JA is helping students prepare...
Rachel Waters: Helping Students Discover What’s Possible
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Rachel Waters, board member and volunteer with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa, shares why giving back, financial literacy, and career exploration matter — and how JA helps students gain the confidence and real-world skills they need for future...
Education for What’s Next: Powering Economic Mobility
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
What’s next? It’s the question on everyone’s mind. Technologies we’ve never seen before are reshaping the world in ways we never imagined. Jobs people rely on today may not exist...
Volunteer Spotlight: Zach Schmit
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Zach Schmit, volunteer and Junior Achievement Corridor Community Impact Board Member, brings his entrepreneurial mindset and real-world experience into classrooms across Eastern Iowa. Since 2018, Zach has helped students connect the dots between money, careers, and opportunity—while serving on the Community Impact Board to help guide JA’s mission and long-term impact. His passion for storytelling,...
Volunteer Spotlight: Jeff Niemeier
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Jeff Niemeier is an entrepreneur and real estate investor who volunteers with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa to help students build financial literacy and real-world decision-making skills. Through programs like JA BizTown® Mobile, JA Finance Park® Mobile, and classroom lessons, Jeff brings hands-on learning to life—helping students understand money, work, and the choices that shape their...
Volunteer Spotlight: Cindy Stier
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Cindy Stier has been a dedicated Junior Achievement volunteer for more than 12 years, sharing her passion for financial education with students across Eastern Iowa. A Bank Manager at First Interstate Bank, board chair with ImpactCR, and mom of two, Cindy brings real-world experience into the classroom and helps students build confidence in money, careers, and community. Her energy, creativity, and...
Alumni Spotlight: Doug Alberhasky
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Doug Alberhasky is a lifelong entrepreneur, community leader, and Junior Achievement alum whose journey began in a JA after-school program during high school. From leading student companies to building and managing multiple businesses—including John’s Grocery—Doug credits Junior Achievement with shaping his leadership skills, business mindset, and commitment to giving back. With more than 40 years...
