Junior Achievement taps startup leaders as Hall of Fame inductees, KC Innovator winner
July 26, 2021 | Startland News Staff
The newest inductees to Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City’s Business Hall of Fame play an important role in building the metro’s ecosystem of entrepreneurship, creativity, and cooperation, said Leroy McCarty.
“Our 2021 Laureates exemplify the collaborative spirit that elevates Kansas City in the world of business, philanthropy, and civic engagement,” said Leroy McCarty, chairman of the Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City board and vice president of operations at Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company. “Our honorees value teamwork, both internally and externally, and inspire young people to envision their own role in the future of our community.”
Among the new inductees from three top Kansas City companies:
- DEG — Neal Sharma, co-founder, CEO; Dale Hazlett, co-founder, CFO; Jasvindarjit Singh, CTO; Jeff Eden, Chief Growth Officer; and Sky Morey, Chief Software Architect
- Mark One Electric — Rosana Privitera Biondo, president; Carl Privitera II, vice president; Joe Privitera, vice president; and Tony Privitera, vice president
- PayIt — John Thomson, co-founder, CEO
Click here to read more about the 2021 Hall of Fame laureates.
The honorees and their organizations are set to be recognized Nov. 9 at the annual Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame reception at the new Junior Achievement Youth Learning Lab Kansas City, Kansas.
Privitera
Since 2000, the Hall of Fame event has recognized the achievements of local business leaders from Ewing Marion Kauffman, Barnett and Shirley Helzberg, and Henry Bloch to Gary Fish, Sandy and Christine Kemper, Peter Mallouk and Davyeon Ross.
Click here to read about the 2020 inductees.
Thalia Cherry, Cherry
In addition to the Hall of Fame laureates, Junior Achievement also plans to honor Thalia Cherry, founder and CEO of sports and fashion apparel company Cherry Co., with the KC Innovator Award.
KC Innovators are recognized for positively disrupting their industries, creating jobs and opportunities, and applying innovation to solve critical social and economic problems, Junior Achievement said.
Cherry prides itself on community engagement, according to the organization. The company has donated more than $500,000 and sponsored 100-plus community events since opening in 2012. Through Cherry, its founder strives to create a clothing brand that exemplifies sports, fashion, fun, and celebrates the greatness in women.
Click here to learn more about Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City, which empowers the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and doers by connecting young people to mentors and learning opportunities which teach financial decision-making skills, inspire entrepreneurial thinking, and prepare them for 21st century careers.
Featured Business
2021 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Designed by a language of love, ‘my clothing is my ministry,’ says Esmeralda Lole
Kyrie Eleison Couture creates custom pieces that incorporate the customer’s cultural influences, said Esmeralda Lole. Lole works closely with individual customers and draws colors from flags and patterns from their countries of origin, she said. “Everyone has a different love language and my love language is acts of service. So for me, to be able…
KCultivator Q&A: Bo Nelson percolates on positive energy in his Crossroads coffee shop
Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The KCultivator Series is sponsored by WeWork Corrigan Station, a modern twist on Kansas City office space.Holding a red, Thou Mayest-branded mug, Bo Nelson credited the success of his 18th Street coffee shop to family talent,…
Scoops and fruit loops: Quirky collaboration melds Crumble candles, Betty Rae’s Ice Cream
Brandon Love hungered for a Kansas City brand as unconventional as his own high-growth aroma confectionery, Crumble Co. He found his match at Betty Rae’s. “I started trying to pick apart [potential partners] to see who would be the best fit,” said Love, Crumble Co.’s founder and “head fruit loop in charge.” “Our way’s really…
Bridge Space opens doors to creativity, collaboration in Lee’s Summit (Photos)
Set against the historic backdrop of the former Lee’s Summit post office, the past and present intentionally collide to create Bridge Space — a 13,000-square-foot coworking space that elevates entrepreneurs in the city’s bustling downtown business district, said Ben Rao. “I’m in the hospitality business. It’s about this experience that people have. We’re not just…