Spotlighting Stakeholder Voices at GLC Virtual 2025

May 1, 2025

The JA Global Leadership Conference (GLC), a hallmark of inclusive professional development across the JA network, is a one-stop shop for JA staff to connect with like-minded colleagues and engage in opportunities for growth and connection. Due to the pandemic in 2021, JA Worldwide transitioned GLC online for a fully virtual edition, which included all staff worldwide. The in-person edition returned in 2023, but JA remained committed to ensuring all staff, regardless of geography or role, had access to the collaborative learning and innovation GLC inspires. That’s why GLC Virtual has become a standing tradition. And in 2025, it evolved once again.

This year’s GLC Virtual welcomed not only JA staff from around the world, but also introduced new programming designed specifically for three core JA stakeholder groups: volunteers, teachers, and board members. With nearly 500 participants across the three sessions, these dedicated partners gathered online to learn from one another, share challenges and solutions, and strengthen their roles within the JA mission.

Collaborating With Educators

In a first-of-its-kind GLC Virtual session, 118 educators from across the globe gathered to connect and exchange strategies for enhancing student learning. Alison Gottsch-Walton, Senior Manager of Learning Experiences at JA Worldwide, led the session, which also featured speakers Emmalyn Green, Director of Learning Design; Eliza Pavlidi, Project Coordinator; and Stacie Fieth, Vice President of Education, all from JA Worldwide.

A diverse panel of classroom teachers brought practical insights to the discussion, including Anna Matsiori (Economics), Kiriaki Vasilou (English), and Nikos Terpsiadis (Mathematics) from Experimental Senior High School at the University of Macedonia; Ariba Butt from SICAS Liberty Complex in Lahore, Pakistan; and Paula Patrice M. Dela Cruz, National Project Manager at JA Philippines.

Key themes included classroom strategies to boost engagement, global collaboration to address shared challenges, and fresh perspectives that support meaningful, real-world learning experiences. The session reinforced the value of giving teachers space to learn from one another across borders and education systems.

Strengthening Board Engagement

GLC Virtual also convened 139 board members from across the network. With opening remarks from JA Worldwide Board member Zabeen Hirji and contributions from JA Worldwide CEO Asheesh Advani and JA Worldwide Global Council member and JA Africa board member Camille Blair. Erin Sawyer shared a sneak peak at the upcoming board orientation pilot for JA board members. The discussion emphasized the importance of onboarding, alignment with strategy, and stronger regional and global collaboration among JA’s governance leaders.

Engaging JA Volunteers

More than 230 volunteers joined a dynamic session led by Laura Goodman, Vice President, Resource Development & Volunteer Partnerships, Junior Achievement USA; Erin Sawyer, Chief People Development Officer, JA Worldwide; and Sarah Rapp, Director of Youth Advocacy, JA Worldwide. Together, they explored best practices for volunteer engagement, shared stories of impact, and offered ideas for increasing both personal fulfillment and organizational contribution. Participants walked away energized to deepen their connection with JA and expand their impact on young people worldwide.

Powered by Partners

GLC Virtual 2025 wouldn’t be possible without the support of our valued partners. Long-time supporter Delta and digital innovation leader Adobe both served as Silver Partners for this year’s event. Adobe also hosted a session on building digital skills—an essential focus of our work preparing young people for the future of work.

Together, the sessions served as a reminder that while our stakeholders may represent different roles, regions, and perspectives, they all share a common purpose: empowering the next generation of innovators, leaders, and changemakers.

Missed a session?

Watch the stakeholder recordings at jaworldwide.org/glc-2025.