About Us
Preparing youth to succeed
in a global economy
Our Story
EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE TO SHAPE THE FUTURE
Here at JA Central Ontario, we envision a world in which young people have the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities.
We want to make sure all young people are economically empowered with the skills, confidence and networks to shape their future in a way that works for them and those around them.
Start a local business? Set up a community food bank? Land the job of their dreams? Save for that trip of a lifetime to Asia? Buy their grandma a Ferrari? No matter what they dream of, through JA Central Ontario they will build the skills, practice the thinking and meet the people who will help them get there.
Together with a dedicated network of volunteers, partners and educators, we deliver immersive learning experiences for students in grades 3-12, focusing on work readiness, financial health, entrepreneurship and more. JA students benefit from real-world work experience and know-how, transforming their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and aspirations as they build their futures.
As young Canadians plan a future in the wake of a global pandemic and a rapidly changing world, JA learning experiences are more important than ever. By building a wide range of skills and nurturing self-belief, JA prepares young people for the future of work, teaches them how to think entrepreneurially, and ensures they have the tools to be financially capable adults.
Our work covers Halton, Peel, Toronto, York, Durham and Simcoe regions. We are part of the world’s largest and most-impactful youth-serving NGOs – JA Worldwide – and work closely with our national network, JA Canada.
We are proudly accredited by Imagine Canada.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and talents in our staff, volunteers, and boards to reflect the geographies and communities we serve. The JA global mission upholds the principles of diversity and inclusion not only as guiding directives in our programs, but in the day-to-day commitments we have to one another as peers, participants, alumni, and friends.
Exposure to new people, ideas and perspectives strengthens the individual, building character and inspiring them to new horizons.
Our Purpose
Our Mission
JA Central Ontario inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy.
Our Vision
A world in which young people have the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities.
Our Values
- Believe in the boundless potential of young people
- Advocate for relevant, hands-on learning
- Teach principled, market-based economics and entrepreneurship that build a more sustainable world
- Approach our work with passion, honesty, integrity, and excellence
- Seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and talents in our staff, volunteers, and boards to reflect the geographies and communities we serve
- Nurture the power of partnership and collaboration
Our Team
Board of Directors

Anthony Boright
Chair, Board of Directors
Technology Entrepreneur and Financial Services Executive

Rhonda Klosler
Vice Chair, Board of Directors
National Chief Operating Officer & Toronto Office Managing Leader
RSM Canada

Chris Cornell
Treasurer; Chair, Operations Committee; Chair, Audit Committee
Partner, Audit, National Sector Lead, Insurance
KPMG

Stephanie Brown
Secretary
VP, Transformation Management Office
TD Bank

Naveen Balakrishnan
Director
Vice President, Head of FICC Strategic Initiatives
TD Securities

Nicole Court
Director
Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Aecon Group Inc.

Michelle Cowan
Director
Regional Vice President, North Toronto Region
RBC

Amy Flood
Director
Director, Corporate Partnerships ON & NU, Heart and Stroke Foundation

Stephen Jurisic
Director
Creative Director Consultant

Vivian Leung
Director
Senior Principal, Taxation
CPA Canada

Chris Manning
Past Chair, Board of Directors
Senior Vice President, Global Business Payments
Scotiabank

Prashant Matta
Director
Partner
Panache Ventures

Kelly McInenly
Director
Chief Marketing Officer
Cerebelly

Jamal Pascall
Director, Emerging Leader
Senior Strategic Manager
RBC

Dean Percy
Chair, Golf Committee
Finance Executive

Hitesh Peshavaria
Director
Partner, Government & Public Services
Deloitte

Steve Tyers
Director
SVP National Sales & Effectiveness
CIBC

Cindy Wahler
Chair, Governance & Nominations Committee
President
Cindy Wahler Psychology Professional Corporation
Senior
Leadership

Jennifer Holmes Weier
President and CEO

Simone Cowdery
Senior Director, Programs

Katherine Dalziel
Senior Director, Finance and Operations

Erica Stone
Senior Director, Fund Development
Governors
Meet our GovernorsOur Team

Our Partners
Become a PartnerWe couldn’t empower a new generation without the support of our generous partners – thank you!
Changemakers
- Community Services Recovery Fund
Champions
Innovators
Accelerators
- AEO Foundation
- Aecon
- ADP
- Albourne Partners Limited
- AMEX
- Avanade
- Berkshire Hathaway
- Broadridge
- Burgundy Asset
- Capital One
- CNA
- Community Trust
- Environics Research Group Ltd.
- Export Development Canada (EDC)
- FactSet Canada Inc.
- Fairfax
- F. K. Morrow Foundation
- Franklin Templeton
- Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc. (JDMI)
- Invesco Canada Ltd.
- Liberty Mutual
- National Bank
- No Fixed Address
- New SRO (formerly IIROC)
- PaceZero
- Raise (formerly Ian Martin) Meaningful Work Foundation
- RBC Capital Markets
- RBC Insurance
- Rogers Media
- State Street
- Sutter Hill
- TC Energy
- TELUS
- theScore
- Thomas, Large and Singer
- Torys LLP
Our Donors
Become a DonorOur Donors
We couldn't impact our students without the support of generous individual donors. Thank you to everybody who has helped us raise funds to empower a new generation.
You can find a full list of our donors in our Annual Report