Introducing LEAD: A Transformative Experience for JA Leaders

February 18, 2025

At JA, we know that our global impact is only as strong as the connections we build. To amplify our collective efforts, JA Worldwide has launched the Leader Exchange and Development (LEAD) Program, a transformative leadership experience designed to bring together JA executives from around the world. By uniting leaders across cultures, regions, and backgrounds, LEAD fosters collaboration, deepens understanding, and strengthens JA’s mission to prepare young people for future success.

Thanks to the support of our global community, the first cohort of LEAD participants has been selected, and their journey is officially underway!

Meet the First LEAD Cohort

This inaugural group of JA leaders will embark on a unique exchange, spending time in each other’s organizations, attending regional gatherings, and culminating their experience at the JA Worldwide Global Leadership Conference (GLC) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in November 2025.

The first cohort pairs JA executives from all six regional operating centers:

  • Dr. Laurence Forget-Ramah, Executive Director, JA Mauritius, JA Africa, paired with Pablo Marroche, Executive Director, DESEM Junior Achievement Uruguay, JA Americas

  • Krishna Alejandrino, Executive Director, JA Philippines, JA Asia Pacific, paired with Gonçalo Duque, CEO, JÁ Portugal, JA Europe

  • Hana Sarwani, Executive Director, INJAZ Bahrain, INJAZ Al-Arab/JA MENA, paired with Sara Dziuk, President & CEO, Junior Achievement North, Junior Achievement USA

Each participant will spend a week embedded in their counterpart’s operations, gaining firsthand insight into different challenges, opportunities, and strategies. Along the way, they’ll attend regional leadership gatherings, exchange best practices, and develop skills that will enhance their leadership and elevate JA’s collective impact.

Bridging Borders, Strengthening Impact

In a time when division often dominates headlines, the LEAD Program stands as a testament to the power of collaboration. It’s a reminder that, regardless of geography, language, or background, JA leaders share a common goal: to empower young people worldwide.

By forging deeper connections between JA regions, LEAD strengthens our global network, builds resilience, and enhances the way we serve young people. And as our first cohort embarks on this journey, they aren’t just exchanging ideas—they’re shaping the future of JA’s impact for years to come.

2025February, FeaturedJA Worldwide