I’ll never forget the day I got a call from Kristi Shaffer offering me a job at Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain. I literally jumped up and down and screamed as soon as she hung up. I was brand new to Denver and a very green development professional. But I was eager to learn, and I knew that she was the person to learn from. Robin, Kristi, and the rest of the team at JA expected the best, and so I tried hard to become the very best I could be.

Working for JA taught me how to work professionally, strategically, and efficiently – something my experience working with other nonprofits had yet to provide. I had been taught how to build and maintain authentic, mutually beneficial relationships that benefitted our community and the young people we served. It was incredible to be a part of such a large network of Junior Achievement professionals across the country and the world, all working towards the same goal. I learned what it meant to be a leader in innovation within this network – and how to share and learn from others in our space.

I would not have the career I do or the opportunities I have had to serve my community and the world as a seasoned resource development professional were it not for the eight years I spent with the Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain team. I’m grateful that they took a chance on me!