Honors Across the Network: Celebrating JA Leaders Around the Globe
March 12, 2025
Across the JA network, leadership shows up in many ways. It appears in classrooms and boardrooms, through the work of educators, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and alumni who help expand opportunity for young people around the world.
Recently, several members of the global JA community received major honors recognizing their leadership and influence, including Miriam Cresta, CEO of JA Italy; Ben Towers, entrepreneur and Young Enterprise UK alumnus; Valerie Singer, JA Worldwide Global Council member; Zabeen Hirji, JA Worldwide Board of Governors member; Rebecca Winthrop, JA Worldwide Board of Governors member; and Pamela Maynard, JA Worldwide Board of Governors Vice-Chair. These recognitions reflect the achievements of individuals, but they also highlight something larger: the strength of a global JA network committed to preparing young people for the future of work and entrepreneurship.
Miriam Cresta, CEO of JA Italy
As CEO of JA Italy, Miriam Cresta has strengthened the organization’s role as a national leader in entrepreneurship and work readiness education. In January, the 35th Elets World Education Summit in Dubai presented her with the Leadership & Advocacy Award for advancing education and entrepreneurship. She also carried the Olympic flame for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina alongside JA alumna Nicole Maniassi, a moment that connected two generations of leadership through the JA network.
“Receiving this honor at the 35th Elets World Education Summit in Dubai means embracing something far greater than a personal achievement,” Miriam shared. “For me, it represents a collective commitment: the commitment to building an education system that does not simply transfer knowledge, but empowers new generations to become conscious citizens capable of acting in the world with method, values, and vision.”
She reflected on the broader community behind the work. “When I stepped onto that stage, I carried with me the work and support of so many people: the passion of teachers, the energy of students, the enthusiasm of volunteers, and the strength of a community that makes our educational mission possible every single day.”
Looking ahead, Miriam emphasized the importance of strengthening local leadership, investing in JA staff development, and expanding dialogue across the global network. “If we remain deeply local, intentionally collaborative, and genuinely global in our learning, we will not only reach more students, but also we will amplify the quality and transformative power of what we offer.”
Ben Towers, Young Enterprise UK Alumnus
Young Enterprise UK (JA in the United Kingdom) alumnus Ben Towers launched his first company at age 11 and went on to build a career advising corporations and policymakers on entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and startup growth. In January, he received an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to the startup business community and enterprise.
“I didn’t start a business to win awards. I started it for the same reason most entrepreneurs do: I love solving problems,” Ben reflected. “That said, this recognition is a real honour. It represents the people who’ve supported me, the team who’ve built alongside me, and the belief that young entrepreneurs can make meaningful change.”
He believes the next wave of entrepreneurship will be shaped by emerging technologies. “AI is dramatically lowering the barrier to entry, enabling founders to scale faster and tackle problems that once felt impossible. I’d encourage JA to embed AI literacy, experimentation, and responsible innovation into its programs so the next generation isn’t just prepared for the future of entrepreneurship. They’re shaping it.”
Pamela Maynard, Vice-Chair, JA Worldwide Board of Governors
Pamela Maynard, Chief Artificial Intelligence Transformation Officer at Microsoft and Vice-Chair of the JA Worldwide Board of Governors, received an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for services to business and technology.
“This honor reflects the extraordinary people I’ve had the privilege to work alongside, learn from, and grow with throughout my career,” Pam said. “I’ve always believed that leadership is about service, not authority over others, but responsibility to them.”
Reflecting on the role of technology in shaping opportunity, she added, “Technology is an industry that is constantly evolving. To help shape its future in ways that empower people and create opportunities for them is both a privilege and a duty.”
Rebecca Winthrop, JA Worldwide Board of Governors
Rebecca Winthrop, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution and a member of the JA Worldwide Board of Governors, received the World Education Medal for Global Leadership in Education and Innovation in AI.
“I see this honor as a reflection of all the incredible colleagues I have been lucky enough to partner with throughout my career,” Rebecca said, referencing the collaborative work of the Brookings Global Task Force on AI and Education.
In addition to serving on the board, Rebecca also serves on the JA Institute
Research Advisory Council. She encourages JA to focus not only on reach, but also on engagement. “JA provides an incredible opportunity for young people to not just develop skills but find their spark. I have been encouraging JA to track not just the numbers of kids we reach, but how it unlocks student engagement in learning itself.”
Zabeen Hirji, JA Worldwide Board of Governors
Zabeen Hirji, a member of the JA Worldwide Board of Governors and former Chief Human Resources Officer at RBC, recently received the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest civilian honor. She also became the thirteenth chancellor of Trent University.
“As I step further into this chapter of my Purposeful Third Act, I see these recognitions less as a culmination and more as a call to contribute,” Hirji said. “They strengthen my resolve to invest in youth, education, and responsible leadership, areas where organizations like JA play a pivotal role.”
She believes the future of education will require a blend of technology and human capability. “The differentiator will not simply be technical skills. It will be judgment, curiosity, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, collaboration, resilience, and adaptability.”
Valerie Singer, JA Worldwide Global Council
Valerie Singer, General Manager of Global Education at AWS and a member of the JA Worldwide Global Council, received the GlobalMindED Exceptional Leader Award for Global Impact. Her work connects digital skills, workforce pathways, and education systems.
Valerie’s connection to JA began long before her career in global technology leadership. “JA has been part of my story for a long time, and being recognized is so meaningful,” she said. “I participated in the JA Company Program as a high school student and later returned as a volunteer. The product was never really the point. What stayed with me was the experience of building something together with corporate volunteers who believed in us and wanted us to succeed.”
She believes the next step for JA lies in scaling the innovations already underway. “JA Connect and JA Campus are incredible platforms, and the work happening in AI literacy and employer engagement is work worth accelerating. JA already has the trust, the reach, and the proof points. The next chapter is scaling it all the way.”
Leaders across the JA network continue to expand opportunity, strengthen education, and shape the future of work. These honors recognize individual achievements, but they also reflect the collective impact of a global community committed to helping young people succeed.