Catherine Milone Promoted to JA USA Chief Development Officer: JA New Jersey President to Assume National Leadership Role on March 1

February 24, 2022, Edison, NJ – After 17 years as President of JA New Jersey, building the operation into a well-recognized thought leader and educational solution provider in shaping the state’s future workforce, Catherine Milone will assume the Chief Development Officer role for the national organization, JA USA. Here, Catherine will lead the Development group, creating strategy for resource generation and raising funds necessary to achieve JA USA’s strategic objectives and impact.

“It has been an absolute honor to lead JA New Jersey over the last 17 years,” expressed Catherine. “Throughout this time, I have been profoundly inspired by the dedication and hard work of our Staff and Board, in their passion for creating a purpose-driven organization. Now is the time to secure JA New Jersey’s future by making space for new leadership with an even more exciting vision and boundless enthusiasm. I look forward to engaging with many of our partners – in a different capacity – to help carry out JA’s mission to inspire and prepare youth to succeed, and to help them become the very best version of themselves.”

As President since 2004, under her leadership the organization increased its student reach 455% and more than doubled JA New Jersey Board engagement. Catherine raised funds to launch JA Finance Park and JA BizTown and raised more than $300,000 to launch the Scholar Award Initiative to support High School Heroes alumni which then led to the creation of a fully funded alumni internship program.

Catherine is the recipient of the prestigious Charles R. Hook Award, in recognition of her accomplishments as a JA Area President. JA New Jersey received the Peak Performance Team Award and the JA USA Phoenix Award, recognizing her and her team’s efforts to turnaround a once struggling operation to become the best-in-class organization it is today. Catherine has been recognized in her community and state through the NJBIA Leonard C. Johnson Award, NJBIZ 50 Women in Business, and South Jersey Biz 25 Women to Watch.

Beginning her tenure with JA in 1990 with JA New York, she moved to roles with organizations outside of JA, most notably with ADP where she was recognized as part of the Presidents Club for her sales accomplishments. Catherine returned to JA in New Jersey as Vice President in 2002 before taking the reigns as President in 2004.

Throughout her career, Catherine has been recognized for her leadership and commitment to advancing the interests of young people. She serves as a Director for the Kearny Bank Foundation, a Trustee of the Board for NJ Business and Industry Association, and Vice Chair of Focus NJ, Inc., and has served on the JA USA Human Resources Committee for several years.

JA New Jersey Board Chair Christine LaCroix, Partner at Deloitte, said “Catherine leaves JA New Jersey in a very strong position for continued growth, and we sincerely thank her for her contribution and leadership in her time here. We are so grateful for her tireless efforts in creating a strong culture of mutual respect, teamwork and innovation within JA of New Jersey, the educational community, and the greater New Jersey community. We look forward to following the success of her career at JA USA.”

A search committee comprised of members of the JA New Jersey Board of Directors is leading a comprehensive search for a new President, who is anticipated to assume the role by June 1.  

About Junior Achievement of New Jersey (JANJ):

JANJ is an award-winning, best-in-class JA operation. With its headquarters and Capstone programs located in the JA Education Center, in Raritan Center, Edison, NJ, JANJ is a free educational resource dedicated to giving all young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success and plan for their futures. JA’s learning experiences primarily focus on career readiness, financial empowerment, entrepreneurship, and life skills, and are held at the JA Education Center, in schools, on college/university campuses, in corporate facilities, and online through digital learning experiences. For more information, visit janj.org and follow JANJ on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.