JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF HAWAI‘I LAUNCHES SEARCH FOR NEXT PRESIDENT AND CEO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2026

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF HAWAI‘I LAUNCHES SEARCH FOR NEXT PRESIDENT AND CEO

HONOLULU – The Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of Hawai‘i (JAH) has announced the launch of its search for its next President & CEO. The new leader will succeed David Earles, who recently announced plans to depart the organization to relocate out of state after four years of exceptional service.

Under Earles’s leadership, JAH was able to deliver its impactful financial literacy and entrepreneurship curriculum to more than 8,000 kindergarten to 12th grade students annually across the islands. Its programs focus on work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy to help students experience and understand the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.

“Junior Achievement at the national level is changing rapidly to better serve schools and students through experiential learning models,” Earles said. “As I have sat with that reality preparing to leave this place I love, I believe that the best thing I can do for Junior Achievement of Hawai‘i – for the kids, the community and the mission – is to step aside and make room for a leader who is living and working in Hawai‘i.”

Earles added, “I am proud of the work the team and I have accomplished and leave knowing the organization is in a great place with an energized board of directors who care passionately about making a positive impact to ensure the next generation has the financial literacy understanding to succeed.”

Earles has effectively guided the JAH team to grow the number of students served by an average of 10 percent year-over-year during his tenure on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island and Maui. He has also helped develop new and expand existing strategic partnerships with key volunteer groups and organizations, including strengthening JAH’s partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education.

“We are grateful for David’s passion and commitment over the last four years expanding Junior Achievement of Hawai‘i’s reach to students across 59 schools on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island and Maui,” said Nathan Kam, JAH board chair. “He is leaving us on very solid ground in a truly exciting time of evolution for our organization. Our next leader will build upon David’s good work to continue elevating our program offerings and deepen our impact to ensure Hawai‘i students are able to thrive in a global economy.”

The Board has begun its search for its next President and CEO who can build upon a strong foundation of impact and innovation to lead JAH into its next chapter of growth. For more information on the role and to apply, visit this link: President & CEO - Junior Achievement of Hawai'i.

For more information about Junior Achievement of Hawai‘i and to get involved, please visit www.jahawaii.org.

About Junior Achievement of Hawai‘i (JAH)
Established in 1957, JAH’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. We provide students the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. With the help of more than 200 volunteers, JAH reached over 8,300 students in 372 kindergarten through 12th grade classes and after-school locations on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island and Maui in the 2024-2025 school year.

Media Contact:
Nathan Kam
Anthology FINN Partners
nathan.kam@finnpartners.com
808-741-2763 mobile

Link to Download PDF of Press Release