Nelo Spies: Expanding Global Perspective Through JA LEAD
July 15, 2026
When Nelo Spies first heard about the JA Leader Exchange and Development (LEAD) program, she didn’t think she was ready to apply. As a newer leader within the JA network, the CEO of JA South Africa figured she would wait for a future cohort. But encouragement from colleagues across the Africa region changed Nelo’s perspective.
The LEAD initiative brings together high-potential leaders from across the JA network to strengthen their leadership capabilities, expand cross-regional collaboration, and prepare the next generation of leaders within JA. “I suppose I was meant to be here,” Nelo said.
Before joining LEAD, Nelo hoped to better understand how JA organizations around the world operate under the shared JA umbrella. While she already knew many leaders within Africa, she wanted broader exposure to the global network and the different ways organizations approach leadership, fundraising, and strategy.
“I wanted to learn from other leaders who have been with JA for longer.” One of the hallmarks of the LEAD program is the partnership and exchange aspect, which pairs executives from different regions. Nelo was paired with César Asiático, Executive Director of JA Dominican Republic. The two leaders meet regularly, with César expected to visit South Africa during the organization’s national Company of the Year competition in September 2026. Nelo plans to introduce him to staff, board members, and stakeholders during his visit.
Beyond her partnership with César, Nelo has also started building connections with leaders across the cohort. Conversations with peers have already sparked new ideas around digital learning, government engagement, and strategic planning.
She has also connected with peers to better understand how other JA organizations work with ministries and departments of education to integrate programs into schools. After hearing JA Lithuania Executive Director Andzelika Rusteikiene speak about a digital innovation conference for students, Nelo explored new possibilities for JA South Africa’s digital programs. "The learnings that we are getting from each other are giving me personally ideas of where I can improve things. They're also giving me confidence that some things that we are doing, we're doing right because other countries are also going through the same thing."
For Nelo, the program has reinforced the idea that leadership requires constant adaptation. “Leadership is dynamic,” she said. “You have to be adaptive.”
As she continues through LEAD, Nelo said the experience has strengthened her understanding of the global JA network while opening the door to new relationships, ideas, and opportunities for collaboration.