JA appoints new chief executive

Karen Gallant will take the reins as president and CEO of both Junior Achievement South Western Ontario and Junior Achievement Waterloo Region

Photo: Karen Gallant

JUNIOR ACHIEVMENT SOUTH Western Ontario and Junior Achievement Waterloo Region have announced the appointment of Karen Gallant as president and CEO of both charters, effective May 17, 2021.

Gallant is taking the reins from Bev Robinson, who will be retiring after 14 years with JA South Western Ontario. Robinson has also been serving as interim president of JA Waterloo Region since March 2019.

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“We’re thrilled to have Karen joining us in this role,” says Mark Russell, chair, JA South Western Ontario Board of Directors. “She has the perfect combination of leadership and non-profit experience to continue driving the organization forward. Her depth of knowledge about Junior Achievement on a national and global scale will be a tremendous asset to us as we strive to deliver essential JA education to more and more local students.”

“I am honoured to be able to continue my work with JA in this way,” says Gallant. “I’ve seen firsthand the impact JA has on students—and right now supporting their education is more important than ever.  I’m joining an incredible team of staff, volunteers, and partners—and I’m looking forward to working alongside them to build an even brighter future for students in our region.”

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Gallant comes to the JA charters from JA Canada where she was VP, programs and charter services for more than three years. During that time, she directed the advancing of JA’s national digital strategy, expanded program delivery methods through the launch of jacampus.org and the creation of digital programs and implemented national student events including Innovation Day, the JA Youth Success Summit and Company of the Year Championship. 

Gallant will divide her time between the JA offices in London and Waterloo. Prior to her work at JA Canada, Gallant was president and CEO of JA Waterloo Region.

Gallant began her work in JA South Western Ontario and JA Waterloo Region last week, with Robinson staying on until July 1, 2021.