Catalyst New York 2026: Connecting Generations of Leaders Through Purpose and Possibility
May 11, 2026
JA supporters, alumni, philanthropists, and business leaders gathered in New York City for Catalyst New York 2026, an evening that highlighted the power of mentorship, leadership, and investment in young people.
Catalyst is part of a growing global movement led by JA champions who are accelerating JA Worldwide’s mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. The event brought that mission to life through honest conversations, shared experiences, and intergenerational learning. Hosted by JA alumnus Charles Kim and Jean Kim, founders of the YS Kim Foundation, Catalyst was organized in partnership with JA of New York and supported by Delta Air Lines.
Introducing the evening’s hallmark event, the fireside chat, JA Worldwide CEO Asheesh Advani emphasized the importance of listening to young people and understanding how they define achievement in a rapidly changing world. Moderated by renowned executive coach and leadership thinker Marshall Goldsmith, the discussion featured two inspiring JA of New York alumni: Maiya Adolphus and Margaret Ennin.
Throughout the conversation, Maiya and Margaret reflected on how JA shaped their confidence, ambitions, and sense of purpose. Both emphasized that JA’s impact goes far beyond classroom learning, helping young people develop communication, adaptability, and relationship-building skills. These qualities often determine long-term success.
Maiya, now a junior at New York University studying engineering, described how JA consistently created opportunities that pushed her beyond her comfort zone and introduced her to spaces where she once doubted she belonged. She highlighted the importance of mentorship and representation, recalling a virtual JA career speaker session during the COVID-19 pandemic. There, she connected with a Black woman engineer whose encouragement gave her the confidence to pursue engineering herself.
Today, Maiya pays that experience forward by mentoring younger students and helping them build the same confidence. She also explained how studying abroad and participating in an engineering-for-social-impact course reshaped her understanding of achievement. She now views achievement as moving beyond grades and toward creating solutions that genuinely improve people’s lives and communities.
Margaret described how JA expanded her understanding of financial literacy, leadership, and civic engagement. She stressed the importance of authenticity, communication, and learning to advocate for oneself, especially for young people who may underestimate their own abilities. Now serving on the Yonkers Board of Education and preparing to attend Yale University, Margaret emphasized that adults should not only talk about supporting young people, but also actively show up for them through mentorship, listening, and trust.
Both Margaret and Maiya agreed that achievement is no longer defined by traditional measures of success, such as academic grades. For them, achievement means creating meaningful impact, solving problems collaboratively, and contributing to something larger than oneself.
Marshall Goldsmith observed that leadership now depends more than ever on communication, empathy, and the ability to influence others positively. He emphasized the importance of creativity, adaptability, and interpersonal skills in today’s workforce. Together, these insights demonstrated how JA learning experiences help young people prepare not only for careers, but for life.
The fireside chat also stressed the importance of opening doors for young people and trusting them with opportunities, even before they feel fully ready. Maiya and Margaret encouraged the audience to invest time in mentoring youth, listening to their ideas, and helping them recognize the value of their own voices and contributions.
Watch the Fireside Chat
After the conversation, Asheesh presented Marshall with the JA Legacy of Leadership Award, recognizing his longstanding support of JA, his contributions to leadership development across generations, and his commitment to youth empowerment. (Read more about Marshall and the JA Legacy of Leadership Award.)
Catalyst also welcomed Global Business Hall of Fame Laureates: Innovator Kathryn Minshew, inducted in 2025, and Innovator Daniel Gómez Íñiguez, inducted in 2024. Both Laureates were recognized during the evening by JA Worldwide Chief Development Officer Leo Martellotto and Asheesh Advani for their leadership, innovation, and commitment to expanding opportunity for young people. Together, the crowd reflected and wrote down advice they would give their 16-year-old selves, and then playfully folded each piece of advice into a paper airplane and collectively launched them into the air.
Catalyst New York 2026 served as a reminder that when young people have access to mentorship and opportunity—and are supported by those who believe in their potential—they rise to meet the moment. The event also demonstrated the unique role the JA network plays in creating spaces where students, alumni, business leaders, and philanthropists can learn from one another and work together to build stronger communities and more inclusive economies.
Special thanks to Charles and Jean Kim for opening their home and bringing together a community committed to expanding opportunity for young people around the world. A JA alumnus from Northbrook, Illinois, Charles credits his participation in the JA Company Program with sparking his entrepreneurial journey. Today, his philanthropic work, including rebuilding Junior Achievement of the U.S. Virgin Islands and establishing the YS Kim Foundation, remains focused on equipping youth with the tools to succeed.