Junior Achievement of North Florida Announces Board Leadership as Organization Prepares for Historic Year

July 20, 2026

JA of North Florida Announces Board Leadership as Organization Prepares for Historic Year
Crystal Brown Elected Board Chair as Organization Prepares for ELC Groundbreaking and Continued Regional Growth

JACKSONVILLE, FL (July 20, 2026) – Junior Achievement of North Florida (JANFL) is entering one of the most transformational years in its history as the organization prepares to break ground on its Experiential Learning Center (ELC), expand its impact across Northeast Florida, and advance a bold vision for preparing the region's future workforce.

To help guide this next chapter, JANFL today announced its FY2027 Board of Directors leadership team, led by Crystal Brown, Chief Growth & Product Officer at SS&C Technologies, who will serve a two-year term as Chair of the Board.

Brown succeeds Jeff Machols, Head of Sustainability at New York Life, whose leadership helped position the organization for this pivotal moment through the advancement of the ELC vision, the launch of a transformational capital campaign, and the expansion of strategic partnerships across the region.

"Junior Achievement is moving from vision to execution on one of the most ambitious initiatives in our organization's history," said Shannon Italia, President of Junior Achievement of North Florida. "As we prepare for groundbreaking and the opportunities that lie ahead, Crystal brings the strategic leadership, innovation, and collaborative approach needed to help guide our next phase of growth."

The ELC will become the permanent home of JA BizTown® and JA Finance Park®, immersive learning environments where students apply classroom knowledge in realistic business and personal finance simulations. Once completed, the center is expected to serve more than 30,000 students annually, helping young people build financial capability, explore career pathways, and develop the durable skills employers need most.

The FY2027 Executive Committee and 45-member Board of Directors bring together leaders from finance, technology, operations, governance, and business leadership to help guide JANFL through a pivotal year of growth and innovation. These volunteer leaders provide strategic oversight, community connections, and philanthropic leadership in support of the organization's mission.

The FY2027 Executive Committee includes:

Crystal Brown, Chair, Chief Growth & Product Officer, SS&C Technologies
Bryan Taylor, Vice Chair and ELC Campaign Chair, Regional President, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Bobby Price, Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair, CFO, First Coast Energy, LLP
Carl Bailey, Governance Committee Chair
Lauren DeAlexandris, Secretary
Jeff Machols, Immediate Past Chair, Head of Sustainability, New York Life
Lisa O'Neill, At-Large Member and Past Board Chair
Rob Sandlin, At-Large Member and Past Board Chair

"I am honored to serve as Board Chair during such a transformational time for Junior Achievement," said Crystal Brown. "Our region's future depends on preparing young people with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to succeed in an ever-changing economy. The ELC represents an extraordinary investment in our students and our community, and I look forward to working alongside our outstanding Board, staff, volunteers, educators, and partners to bring this vision to life."

The Board's leadership structure reflects JANFL's strategic priorities for FY2027, including advancing the organization's $15 million capital campaign for the ELC, expanding corporate and philanthropic partnerships, strengthening long-term organizational sustainability, and increasing access to Junior Achievement programming across Northeast Florida.

Bryan Taylor, who serves as both Vice Chair of the Board and Campaign Chair for the ELC, will continue leading the organization's capital campaign, providing close alignment between Board leadership and JANFL's highest strategic priority.

"Our Board continues to evolve alongside our organization," Italia said. "We have intentionally assembled a leadership team that brings not only exceptional governance, but also the influence, expertise, and relationships necessary to help us achieve our vision. I am excited about the opportunities ahead and the impact we will create for students across Northeast Florida."

As JANFL prepares for a year defined by growth, innovation, and the advancement of its most ambitious initiative to date, the organization is poised to deepen its impact across Northeast Florida and create new opportunities for thousands of students. Guided by a strong Board of Directors, dedicated volunteers, and committed community partners, Junior Achievement is entering its next chapter with a clear vision: equipping more young people with the skills, confidence, and real-world experiences they need to succeed in work and life.

About Junior Achievement of North Florida
Junior Achievement of North Florida is dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through volunteer-delivered programs focused on financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship, Junior Achievement empowers students with the knowledge and confidence to own their economic success. The organization serves students throughout Northeast Florida and is developing the Junior Achievement Experiential Learning Center, an innovative facility that will provide immersive, real-world learning experiences for generations of students.

For more information about Junior Achievement of North Florida, visit https://northflorida.ja.org.

A complete listing of the FY2027 Board of Directors is available at https://northflorida.ja.org/about/board.