As President and CEO of Junior Achievement Northern Alberta, Cheryll Watson leads the organization’s mission to inspire and prepare young people to thrive in a global economy through financial literacy, entrepreneurship training, and expanded career opportunities. A passionate advocate for entrepreneurship and youth empowerment, Cheryll’s journey began with Intuit, a global leader in financial software, where she gained an immersive understanding of the critical role small businesses play in economic growth. This experience cultivated her commitment to fostering innovation and financial literacy—core pillars of Junior Achievement's mission. In 2015, Cheryll made a deliberate choice to dedicate her skills and experience to her hometown of Edmonton. As a senior leader at Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, she founded Innovate Edmonton (now Edmonton Unlimited), creating a nurturing environment for locally grown, tech-enabled startups. This effort was driven by her belief that access to resources, mentorship, and skill-building is essential for success—principles she now brings to Junior Achievement. Cheryll’s dedication to building thriving communities led her to run for Mayor in the 2021 election, where she championed economic growth, innovation, and a city that works effectively for its citizens. She later played a pivotal role in launching STEM Collegiate, a public charter school focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. Today, she serves as Board Chair, continuing her commitment to education and leadership development. Cheryll is also the Chair and a founding member of the Downtown Revitalization Coalition, an initiative dedicated to fostering a welcoming and prosperous downtown Edmonton. Her community leadership, combined with her experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development, positions her as the ideal leader for Junior Achievement Northern Alberta. Cheryll, her husband Geoff, and their four adult children are actively involved in contributing to their community, driven by a shared commitment to building a stronger, more resilient future for the next generation.

As Director of Operations and Special Projects, Ben ensures JA runs smoothly behind the scenes by leading key operational functions like finance, IT, HR, and office management. He supports both strategy and day-to-day operations, working closely with staff and stakeholders to ensure operational excellence.

As Director of Development, Rochelle leads JA’s fund development strategy, building meaningful sponsorships and partnerships that sustain and grow our impact. She oversees the planning of flagship events, while leading a dynamic development team.

As Director of Programs, Nick oversees the development, execution, and ongoing improvement of all JA programs to ensure they align with the organization’s strategic goals. He leads the program team, builds strong relationships with partners and stakeholders, and works across departments to maximize JA’s impact on youth education across the region.

As Fund Development Specialist, Janis supports JA’s fundraising efforts by helping drive donations, sponsorships, and grants that power our programs. She brings creativity and organization to every initiative — managing donor data, creating presentations and coordinating engaging and impactful fundraising events.

As Student Events & Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Lauren ensures that students, mentors, and volunteers have a meaningful and engaging JA experience. She brings organization and care to every detail — from communications to event coordination — all with the goal of creating supportive, impactful opportunities for young people to thrive.

As Elementary Program Coordinator, Kendra helps plan and deliver JA’s elementary programs through in-school, volunteer-led, and digital formats. She works closely with the Program Manager to support teachers, volunteers, and students, ensuring an engaging and successful JA experience for our youngest learners.

Sofia oversees the coordination of JA’s junior and senior high school programs, helping to bring engaging financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship experiences to students. She works hand-in-hand with the Program Manager to equip teachers and volunteers with the tools they need, supporting program delivery in classrooms, online, and through volunteer-led sessions. Her focus is on creating meaningful learning opportunities that prepare youth for the future.