Meet Our Team
Barbara Smith
President & CEO
Email Barb
As President & CEO, I have the pleasure of working, collaborating and coaching all of our team members across the state on a wide variety of opportunities and goals. Outside of work, I like Piña Coladas and getting caught in the rain. I’m not much into health food, I am into champagne! However most of all, I enjoy spending time with my hubby and spoiling our grandchildren!
Suzanne Maddux
Controller
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In my role as the Controller at JA, it is my responsibility to make sure all the finances are in order. I work with the leadership team, programs, and development to create fiscal year budgets, track progress and report back to the Board of Directors. Outside of work, I love to garden, camp, read, take walks with friends, and work on my booth in an antique mall.
Victoria Suhotin
Program Coordinator
Email Victoria
As a Program Coordinator, I work as a liaison to help facilitate communication between the numerous schools, volunteers, and other constituents in order to ensure JA programs continue to run smoothly.
Kate Abke
Events & Engagement Manager
Email Kate
As the Events & Engagement Manager, I am dedicated to spreading the mission of JA while creating memorable moments. I am excited to throw classic JA events with a few fun ideas up my sleeve to inspire involvement and celebrate the support that makes our impact possible. As a member of the Development Team, my goal is to engage partners, volunteers, students, and community members further into the work we do at JA. I enjoy trips and being at the beach, but you can usually find me out at brunch or enjoying smash burgers around Portland.
Sarah Yurkovich
Capstone Hillsboro Site Manager
Email Sarah
As the Hillsboro Capstone Site Manager, I help to make sure that our team has everything they need to be successful. I work with teachers, volunteers, and students to make sure their visit to JA BizTown or JA Finance Park is as wonderful as it can be. In my spare time I make art, spend time with my partner, and relax in nature.
Priscilla P. Treviño
Director of Development
Email Priscilla
As the Director of Development, I get the rewarding opportunity of sharing our mission and the impact it makes on the thousands of youth we serve with individuals, organizations and communities in our area. I also drive the development and implementation of innovative fundraising and organizational strategies, campaigns, and communication plans that support our strategic objectives. Not one to sit still, I, with my husband Tom, enjoy experiencing the natural beauty of the outdoors, taking road trips, hiking, camping, and trying the best farm to table restaurants.
Jennifer Arritola
Senior Director of JA In-Class Programs
Email Jennifer
In my role as Senior Director of In-Class Programs, I work with K-12 educators across Oregon and SW Washington who sign up for our in-class programs. I work to identify and connect a community volunteer with educators, train and prepare volunteers to teach our JA programs in the classroom. I am married to my best friend and have two amazing daughters and a new son-in-law. My husband and I love to travel, spend time with family, enjoy the pool, shop and read books.
Gina Huntington
Director of Education
Email Gina
As the Senior Director of Education I feel fortunate that I get to focus on making sure our students are receiving the best quality programs. I actively oversee the implementation, management, training and the day-to-day operations of all of our programs and program team. Originally from the Midwest, but have called Portland home for over 15 years. My husband and I once ran a food cart and love participating in the PDX food/drink scene. I love spending time with my two daughters and husband enjoying all the adventures that living in the PNW brings.
Audra Futter
Capstone Portland Site Manager
Email Audra
As the Capstone Site Manger, I help to ensure that our team has everything they need to be successful in our day-to-day operations. We want to make sure that visiting Junior Achievement is a smooth and exciting process for teachers, volunteers, and students -- I am glad to be a part of that! In my spare time I enjoy reading, hiking, and exploring The Pacific Northwest with my husband and three daughters.
Jerelyn Brimer
Operations Manager
Email Jerelyn
As the Operations Manager, I am a multi-role maven who ensures that all the JA teams, buildings, events, and programs have what they need to run smoothly without any hiccups. I will also be working closely with our sponsor to produce our educational and fun podcast, The Money Jar. When away from the office, I enjoy wine tasting, theatre (movies and stage), the beach, watching all sports, and spending time with my husband and daughter along with our furry family members.
Shannon Wakeman
Capstone Director
Email Shannon
In my role as Capstone Program Director, I work with our team to coordinate successful JA BizTown and JA Finance Park experiences. A confessed cat fanatic, I also love to read, camp, bake, and craft. My husband and I are on a mission to visit every National Park in the US. See you on the trail!
Part Time Team Members:
Amber Diehr- Simulation Facilitator
John Duffy - Simulation Facilitator
Angie Harrison - Simulation Facilitator
Jen Leider - AP / AR
Jena Novotny- Simulation Facilitator
Lindsay Vuylsteke - Simulation Facilitator