Catherine Milone, the well-known longtime head of Junior Achievement New Jersey, will leave the organization March 1 to assume a role with the national organization.
Milone, who has served as president of JA New Jersey the past 17 years, will serve as chief development officer for the national chapter. In this role, she will be tasked with creating strategy for resource generation and raising funds necessary to achieve JA USA’s strategic objectives and impact.
And, while the national chapter is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Milone will continue living in New Jersey, working remotely.
“It has been an absolute honor to lead JA New Jersey over the last 17 years,” Milone said. “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.”
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.
That person will have a tough act to follow.
Under Milone’s leadership, JA New Jersey increased its student reach 455% and more than doubled the JA New Jersey board engagement. She also raised funds to launch JA Finance Park and JA BizTown, and also raised more than $300,000 to launch the Scholar Award Initiative to support High School Heroes alumni. This then led to the creation of a fully funded alumni internship program.
Milone also was 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 turn around a once-struggling operation to become the best-in-class organization it is today.
Throughout her career, Milone has been recognized for her leadership and commitment to advancing the interests of young people. She serves as a director for the KearnyBank Foundation, a trustee of the board for New Jersey Business & Industry Association and vice chair of Focus NJ Inc.
JA New Jersey board chair Christine LaCroix, a partner at Deloitte, said Milone’s efforts have been greatly appreciated.
“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,” she said. “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.”
