Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes

10/21/2026

10/21/2026

A birthday celebration and a JA reunion all in one!

Last week, JA alumni, family and friends, and current JA staff joined together to celebrate Jim Dieleman's birthday. Jim served as our president for many years, and the gathering brought together alumni who were positively impacted by his leadership and mentorship.

It was a chance to reconnect with familiar faces and celebrate someone who is an important part of our organization’s history. Seeing so many generations of the JA community in one room made the occasion especially meaningful!

Happy birthday, Jim! We’re grateful for your years of leadership and glad we could celebrate with you.

10/20/2026

Last night, a few familiar names in West Michigan business shared the spotlight with some of JA's brightest students at this year’s Independent Bank JA West Michigan Business Hall of Fame.

We celebrated Brad Kessel and John D. Loeks as our 2026 laureates, honored Tasha Blackmon, Jodi Havera, and David Rose, and welcomed Steve Downing and Tony Sarsam back to receive their Crystal Medallions.

Our students helped tell the story, too. As ambassadors, emcees, and news reporters, they brought their perspectives to the evening and had the chance to connect with leaders whose work has shaped the community they call home.

Those conversations are part of what makes the Business Hall of Fame meaningful. Students get to meet the people behind familiar businesses and begin to picture where their own interests might lead. Support for the event also helps JA continue that exploration throughout the school year, giving students hands-on experience they can carry into their futures.

An extra special thank you to our Title Sponsor, Independent Bank. Thank you to all of our sponsors for making this evening possible and investing in the young people who will help shape West Michigan in the years ahead.

Celebration Cinema | ShowSpan Inc. | Cherry Health | Landscape Forms

10/13/2026

Thank you to General Motors' Grand Rapids Operations for investing in our community and supporting the work of Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes through its 2026 Community Impact Grants!

We’re grateful to be among four organizations receiving a share of $100,000 in grants supporting STEAM education across the Grand Rapids area. This funding helps strengthen opportunities for young people and expand access to experiences that prepare them for their futures like our Girls' Dream Fair, Imagine STEM Camp, and in-class programs promoting STEAM careers.

Thank you, GM, for your continued commitment to our community and the next generation!

10/12/2026

We are officially just seven days away from celebrating this year’s remarkable laureates and the lasting impact they’ve made in West Michigan at the JA Independent Bank West Michigan Business Hall of Fame!

There’s still time to join us for this special evening through sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets. Come celebrate the leaders who have helped shape our community and support Junior Achievement’s work to prepare young people for success.

We hope to see you there!

https://michigangreatlakes.ja.org/events/ja-west-michigan-business-hall-of-fame

10/09/2026

As we count down to the Independent Bank JA West Michigan Business Hall of Fame on October 19, we’re continuing to introduce you to the 2026 Laureates.

This week, we’re highlighting Jodi Havera, Chief Financial Officer of Landscape Forms. Jodi brings nearly 30 years of finance experience across a variety of industries. A licensed CPA and Western Michigan University graduate, she now serves as CFO of Landscape Forms, which employs more than 600 people across six locations.

Jodi’s career in finance also connects closely with her commitment to helping young people build a strong financial foundation. She serves on the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes and is passionate about financial literacy.

We’re proud to celebrate Jodi, the other 2026 Laureates, and the contributions they’ve made to their communities and industries.

Join us on October 19 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park for the Independent Bank JA West Michigan Business Hall of Fame.

Learn more about this year’s West Michigan Business Hall of Fame: https://michigangreatlakes.ja.org/events/ja-west-michigan-business-hall-of-fame

10/07/2026

What does it mean to leave a lasting impact on your community?

On October 19, we’ll gather to celebrate the 2026 Independent Bank JA West Michigan Business Hall of Fame laureates. Their stories remind us that business leadership can have an impact extending far beyond the workplace, opening doors for the next generation and showing them what is possible when leaders show up for their community when they're needed most.

We’re proud to honor this year’s laureates and look forward to celebrating with the West Michigan business community.

There’s still time to join us! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available by heading to https://michigangreatlakes.ja.org/events/ja-west-michigan-business-hall-of-fame.

10/07/2026

What does it take to plan for your future? Sometimes, it helps to experience it firsthand!

For Financial Planning Month, we’re taking a look inside JA Finance Park, where students get the chance to step into the adult world and make real-life financial decisions.

Students work through a simulated budget and see how their choices affect the lives they’re building. Along the way, they learn the importance of planning ahead, making thoughtful financial decisions, and preparing for what comes next.

Experiences like Finance Park help make financial literacy feel real. When students can put what they’ve learned into practice, they leave with a better understanding of how the decisions they make today can shape their futures. That’s the power of experiential learning!

10/06/2026

We’ve been selected as one of 15 nonprofits featured at Cascade Community Foundation’s 25th Anniversary “The Beauty of Community” gala! CCF invests in organizations making a difference in our community, and we are thankful to be a recipient of their support.

If you plan on attending the event, please consider voting for Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes! Every vote will help students in the Cascade Community and the Michigan Great Lakes region gain access to life-changing financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurial skills.

09/30/2026

Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the JA of the Michigan Great Lakes Associate Leadership Board!

We’re excited to welcome these emerging leaders as they step into new roles with Junior Achievement and help support our mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Each member brings their own experience, perspective, and passion for our community, and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact they’ll make throughout the year.

Get to know our newest Associate Leadership Board members better by reading about them here:
https://michigangreatlakes.ja.org/news/blog/ja-welcomes-new-associate-leadership-board-members