Notes from Davos 2025: JA Leaders at the World Economic Forum

January 24, 2025

JA leaders spent the week in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting. JA Worldwide CEO Asheesh Advani joined global leaders from business, government, and other nonprofits at WEF, while senior leadership, board members, and alumni from JA Worldwide, JA Africa, and JA Europe attended a multitude of side events and participated in important and productive conversations and panels.

Why JA Goes to Davos

JA stands at the intersection of business, government, and education, and Davos is one of the few places where the three come together. Through government partnerships, JA’s curriculum is offered in public schools in over 100 countries. And through relationships with companies (including over 70% of the Fortune 200), JA receives funding and mentors to develop curriculum, support teachers, and train volunteers. With so many government and education representatives and business leaders in attendance, Davos offers opportunities for JA to strengthen the ties we have, build new relationships, and find pathways for even more youth to develop the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities.

The Week in Review

Although the panels, interviews, and speakers at the WEF Annual Meeting are the main attraction, the additional events in Davos are equally interesting. On Tuesday, JA leaders participated in two panels hosted by Abraham House, a charitable foundation dedicated to driving global humanitarian efforts through diverse collaboration.

The first panel, “Empowering the Next Billion: Financial Literacy and Inclusion for Generation Z” featured JA Europe Deputy CEO & Chief Development Officer Diana Filip, JA Worldwide Chief Development Officer Leo Martellotto, JA Africa CEO Simi Nwogugu, and GenZ fintech leader Robin Krambroeckers, Chief Technology Officer at RobotBulls. The session focused on the critical intersection of financial literacy, intergenerational impact, and the evolving role of financial institutions in shaping the economic resilience of Gen Z. Panelists discussed engaging and educating Gen Z (ages 9–24) to prepare them for future financial stability, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities facing Gen Z in a rapidly changing economic and technological landscape, and bridging generational divides to foster financial inclusion and literacy at scale.

Later that day, JA leaders spoke on “Shaping Tomorrow: AI Empowerment and Protection for Youth.” On this dynamic panel, Fiona Macaulay, WILD Network Founder-CEO and JA Worldwide Board Member; Ana Martiningui, JA Worldwide Vice President of Global Development; and Salvatore Nigro, A Europe CEO, discussed how AI can revolutionize education for youth. They explored transformative opportunities and critical safeguards to ensure AI drives inclusive and ethical growth for the leaders of tomorrow.

Check out additional posts, panels, and photos, below: