EP 29 - How JA Worldwide Fosters The Business Leaders of Tomorrow with Asheesh Advani & Erin Sawyer

The Alchemy of Business Show

Junior Achievement is a worldwide organization that works to bridge that massive gap between education, or what young people learn in school, and the real-world business experience and knowledge needed to succeed. JA helps kids from 50 countries worldwide learn by doing, meet and interact with business leaders, network, participate in entrepreneurship competitions, and change their trajectory in life.

Asheesh Advani, the President and CEO of Junior Achievement (JA) Worldwide, and Erin Sawyer, Vice President of People and Events, join Steve Rodgers in this uplifting episode of The Alchemy of Business Show and share how JA reaches out to kids around the world and aids them in changing their lives through removing obstacles to their success.

Asheesh and Erin share with Steve how positive encouragement is life-changing for youth who receive real validation that pursuing a career in business or finance is possible.

Junior Achievement allows a young person to change or evolve their mindset from “I can’t” to “I can.” Listen or watch this episode, be inspired by the work that JA does, and learn how you can get involved to help educate and arm the leaders of tomorrow.

TIMESTAMPS:

7:55 - Asheesh starting company in his 20’s

12:32 - Erin’s story of travelling and being a global citizen and then going to JA

14:58 - Asheesh’s experiences as a teen in JA

16:37- What JA does as an organization; Allowing young people to evolve their mindset from “I can’t” to “I can”.

20:09 - How can other people contribute back and give to JA in ways to get involved

21:44 - how steve got involved with JA

23:25 - ways to get involved and volunteering your time and/or money

29:12 - Curriculum or program sample (Global Youth Forum)

30:42 - Young girl who got a job in KPMG thanks to Positive Encouragement; When you see a young person, give them positive encouragement.

32:55 - How do we address the tremendous GAP between the youth’s experience in schools and the Work they’re walking into by building the trajectory while they’re still young

36:02 - Nobel Peace Prize Nomination for JA

38:55 - Companies that partner and give to the JA organization

41:10 - Don’t wait till your company grows before you donate, you can donate and help now

45: 18 - Find ways to elevate the voices of young people to see the mindshift

50:34 - Erin and Asheesh on their definitions of spirituality

Relevant Links:

Looking to effect positive changes for today's Youth? Learn how you or your organization can equip children for their future work and change their trajectory for growth by partnering with JA Worlwide.

https://www.jaworldwide.org/

Gain more practicable and actionable business advice with soulful insights from industry leaders & watch full episodes by subscribing to my channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/SteveRodgers/featured

Are you struggling with making the profit you want in your business, finding your purpose, or getting to the next level in your career? Click the link below to book a free consultation call with me, Steve Rodgers, host of The Alchemy of Business Show and former Warren Buffett CEO.”

https://bookme.name/Steverodgers/30-min-talk-with-steve-rodgers

GUEST BIOS:

Asheesh Advani

Asheesh is the President and CEO of Junior Achievement (JA) Worldwide, one of the largest NGOs in the world dedicated to educating young people about financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness. With offices in over 100 countries, the JA network serves more than 10 million young people annually with programs designed to prepare youth for the future of work.

Asheesh is an accomplished technology entrepreneur, having served as CEO of Covestor (acquired by Interactive Brokers) and CircleLending (acquired by Virgin Group).

He began his career as a consultant at the Monitor Group followed by the World Bank.

He is a graduate of the Wharton School and Oxford University, where he was a Commonwealth Scholar.

Erin Sawyer

Erin has 15 years of experience helping JA Worldwide prepare youth people for employment and entrepreneurship.* In her current role as Vice President, People and Events, Erin helps JA alumni reengage with the organization, tell their stories, and continue lifelong learning; oversees all global events; and is responsible for assessing, mentoring, and supporting team members to drive growth in the organization.

Erin was responsible for JA’s wildly successful Global Alumni Conference and JA Global Youth Forum,* two events first introduced during JA’s Centennial celebration. She is also the force behind the JA Global Leadership Conference, which brings together JA’s senior leaders from around the world for professional development and growth. In addition to a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in international studies from the University of Washington, Erin’s postgraduate work includes certificates from Penn State University and the Center for Creative Leadership.

Erin lives and works in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, with her husband, two children, and black Labrador.