JA’s Hero Campaign Kicks Off

Kim Gillis of Becker Morgan Group and the Salisbury Chamber’s YEA Program, poses as the September JAES Hero for her commitment to supporting entrepreneurship education in youth. Kim Gillis — JA Hero A graduate of Salisbury University Perdue School of Business, currently a senior associate at Becker Morgan Group, and Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce (SACC) chairperson-elect and co-program manager of YEA! (Young Entrepreneurs Academy), Kim Gillis is this month’s JA Hero. Here our Hero discusses her work in setting area youth on the path to entrepreneurship: YEA! is an afterschool program that transforms local middle and high school students into real, confident entrepreneurs. Throughout this program students will develop business ideas, conduct market research, write business plans, pitch their plans to local investors, and ultimately launch and run their own real business. I am thrilled for the opportunity to be co-program manager of YEA! first and foremost because it benefits and empowers the youth in our community–our future leaders. The entrepreneurial spirit in our community is alive and well, and we need to continue to cultivate and foster that culture at all levels for long-term sustained economic success. We are fortunate to have lots of worthy organizations affecting change in our community, so I encourage community members to be engaged and get involved. Now is the time because there is great forward momentum. Just imagine the possibilities if we all work together towards the greater goal of improving this community we love to live, work and play in.