Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South’s Kesha Ivy Receives National MVP Award

Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South’s Chief Academic Officer Kesha Ivy has been recognized with the prestigious Model of Values Professional (MVP) Award.

The award was presented to Kesha Ivy by Junior Achievement USA President Tim Greinert during the organization’s National Leadership Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Since joining Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South, Ivy has helped nearly double the organization’s in-person reach, expanding programming to 45,000 students annually across a 71-county service area in TN, MS and AR.

Kesha Ivy has also been instrumental in JA outreach projects such as JA World Ready Radio and the JA Hometown Heroes: Letters to My Younger Self video series, launched this spring.

Chief Academic Officer honored as one of only three Model of Values Professionals recognized across the JA USA network

MEMPHIS, TN, UNITED STATES, August 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South is proud to announce that Chief Academic Officer Kesha Ivy has been recognized with the prestigious Model of Values Professional (MVP) Award by Junior Achievement USA during the organization’s National Leadership Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Selected from nominations submitted across the nationwide Junior Achievement network, Ivy was one of only three professionals in the country to receive the honor, which recognizes individuals who exemplify the values of Junior Achievement through exceptional leadership, innovation, integrity and commitment to students. The award was presented by Junior Achievement USA President Tim Greinert during the conference’s closing celebration attended by more than 300 leaders from Junior Achievement offices across the United States and representatives from JA Worldwide.

Joining Ivy as this year’s recipients were Rebecca Borovsky, Senior Director of Operations at Junior Achievement of Greater Washington, and Ed Priem, Chief Financial Officer at Junior Achievement USA.

“Kesha embodies everything this award represents,” said Leigh Mansberg, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South. “She leads with integrity, challenges us to think differently, and never loses sight of why we do this work. Her vision has transformed the way we serve students across our region, but what impresses me most is how she elevates everyone around her. Kesha has earned the respect of educators, community leaders and colleagues throughout the Mid-South and the Junior Achievement network. This national recognition is incredibly well deserved.”

Since joining Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South, Ivy has helped nearly double the organization’s in-person reach, expanding programming to 45,000 students annually across a 71-county service area in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. She has led the development of innovative educational models, including JA Triple Play and Layered Learning Schools, both of which enhance the richness and depth of impact for JA programs. She has also been instrumental in JA outreach projects such as JA World Ready Radio and the JA Hometown Heroes: Letters to My Younger Self video series, launched this spring. Kesha also serves on multiple national Junior Achievement advisory committees, helping shape educational programming across the organization’s nationwide network.

Ivy said receiving the award was a complete surprise.

“When they called my name, I was overwhelmed,” she said. “To be recognized by peers and leaders from across the Junior Achievement network, including people doing extraordinary work every day, is incredibly humbling. I never think about awards when doing the work. My focus has always been doing the very best work we can for students and creating opportunities that will have a lasting impact on their futures.”

She credits the recognition to the people around her.

“I can win championships because I have an outstanding team,” Ivy said. “I’m not afraid to tackle difficult challenges, but none of this happens alone. Every innovation we’ve created and every student we’ve reached has been possible because of talented colleagues who believe in our mission and push each other to be better every day.”

Mansberg nominated Ivy for the award, citing her visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to educational equity, collaborative approach and ability to build innovative programs that can be replicated throughout the Junior Achievement network.

“I am so pleased that Kesha’s contributions to our success were recognized at the National Leadership Conference that brings together Junior Achievement professionals from across the country to share best practices, celebrate accomplishments and advance the organization’s mission of preparing young people to succeed in a global economy,” says Mansberg.

Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South empowers children to be world ready and engaged members of their communities so that they may lead independent lives. For more information or to invest in the nonprofit’s work, visit www.jamemphis.org or call 901.366.7800.

Angela B Okeon
+ +1 9014097607
[email protected]
ABO Marketing & Communications
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