Distinguished President of Junior Achievement of North Florida is One of Six Finalists to be Nominated for the Prestigious Karl Flemke Pioneer Achievement Award

(Jacksonville, Fla.) — Shannon Italia, president of Junior Achievement of North Florida, has been selected as a finalist for the esteemed Karl Flemke Pioneer Achievement Award for 2023. This highly prestigious accolade is presented to first-time JA presidents who have demonstrated exceptional contributions and accomplishments within the organization. The award ceremony will take place during the Junior Achievement USA® National Leadership Conference held in Louisville, Kentucky, on July 24 to 27, 2023. Italia was selected along with five other exceptional finalists, for this coveted national recognition.

Under the exceptional leadership of Italia, Junior Achievement of North Florida has thrived coming out of the pandemic, experiencing significant growth in student numbers and program impact, introducing new learning experiences including JA Inspire, JA Heroes and the JA Stock Market Challenge. Additionally, Italia has brought a keen business acumen to JA of North Florida, shoring up organizational infrastructure and developing a strategic framework that envisions an increased level of visibility and impact for years to come. With the support and leadership of a re-energized board of over 40 individuals from the business and education communities, Italia and her outstanding team of professionals are driving mission impact in the region.

Expressing gratitude for being selected as a finalist for this award, Shannon Italia said, "It’s humbling to be included in this list of JA leaders that are people that I look up to and view as role models; our organization is full of talented and passionate leaders who are motivated by JA’s mission and truly care about making a difference in the lives of young people. I’m encouraged by this recognition and inspired to keep working hard and pursuing our vision of a world where young people have the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities."

Jack E. Kosakowski, president and CEO of Junior Achievement USA, said, “We are thrilled for Shannon being a finalist for this well-deserved award, as her remarkable accomplishments serve as an inspiring example for all emerging JA executives. At Junior Achievement, our mission is to empower students in bridging the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world application. Shannon’s exceptional achievements embody the spirit of our organization, and we are proud to recognize her significant contributions."

Shannon Italia emphasized the collective effort behind winning this award, stating, "Being a finalist for this award is a tremendous honor, and it reflects the hard work and dedication of the exceptional staff and board of directors at Junior Achievement of North Florida. With their unwavering support, alongside our invaluable volunteers, donors, and educators, I am confident that we will continue to witness significant growth and empower young individuals to take ownership of their future economic success, plan for their future, and make informed academic and economic decisions."

The Karl Flemke Pioneer Achievement Award pays tribute to the late Karl Flemke, who served as the president of Junior Achievement Inc. from 1982 until his untimely passing in 1994.

About Junior Achievement of North Florida

We envision a world where young people have the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities. Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. Since 1963, Junior Achievement of North Florida has been delivering JA learning experiences that help young people reach their potential. To learn more about Junior Achievement of North Florida, visit www.janfl.org.

About Junior Achievement USA®

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches more than 3.3 million students per year in 102 markets across the United States as part of 12.5 million students served by operations in more than 100 other countries worldwide. Junior Achievement USA is a member of JA Worldwide. For more information, visit www.ja.org.