As the president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Greater Reading and Lehigh Valley, Judi B. Simmons truly helps shape the future of Berks County–by helping its youth build professional career skills. She counts herself as fortunate to have a hand in bringing together generous local volunteers from all fields and professions who share their work (and life) experiences to guide Berks County students in finding success and happiness. Simmons, who lives in St. Lawrence, is herself a local grad (of Kutztown High School) and the proud mother of three other local graduates–daughters, Krista and Kelly, and son, AJ.
Q | How did you become involved with Junior Achievement? I had worked for a number of years for the National MS Society, covering six counties and living here in Berks, when my position was going to be relocated to an office in Philadelphia. I loved my work but felt I just couldn’t face the commute every day. I wasn’t sure what I would do, but through two very fortuitous and amazing cups of coffee with two very insightful, wonderful friends, I found that JA was looking for a president. That was in early 2012. I started work in March that year and couldn’t be happier.
Q | So you have a background in non-profit work? Oh yes, aside from a short time working in the corporate world, I’ve always worked in non-profits. I’ve been with three national organizations: the American Heart Association, the National MS Society and now Junior Achievement. I also volunteered all through college and have always believed in giving back. At the end of any given day, even the worst day, if you’ve done something to help someone, you can feel good about that. My dad was a minister in Kutztown, so I never knew what I’d come down to find at breakfast each morning–it could be a family that had been displaced, someone in need of a meal. We had Fresh Air kids and foster kids in our house while I was growing up. Thankfully, my parents instilled giving back in me and JA is blessed to have so many people in Berks who do the same–who pay it forward.
Q | That is good to know. What are some of your favorite things about Junior Achievement? I love how students develop essential soft skills through our programs, things like effective communication and people skills, which are vital for career success regardless of what type of field they go into. Our three pillars to prepare young people are work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy, and all of our workshops and events build those strengths, but those soft skills also get a boost. By having skills in all those areas, kids get professional success and a great bonus in life–personal happiness.
Q | It sounds like you love your job, but there must be other things you love to do when you’re not working. What’s fun when you’re off the clock? I’m a die-hard Philadelphia Flyers fan; I have season tickets and I try to get to as many Reading Royals games as I can. I also like being outdoors, and I’m a serial crafter–you name it and I’ve probably tried it–jewelry-making, candles, glass-painting, cross-stitch. [laughs] Another passion is travel.
Q | Is there a place or a trip you that is special to you? I encouraged my kids to travel if they had a chance while in college, and they’ve taken me places I didn’t think I’d go. One favorite was a trip to Germany and Austria while my oldest daughter was studying and living in Prague. My younger daughter took me to a place I never planned on visiting–Argentina. She was working there, so I went to visit. It was just the two of us, so it was very special. We went to Patagonia, which was breathtaking. We hiked on glaciers, in fact the only glacier still growing in the world. It was amazing, and even more so because the trip was unexpected.
BY MICHELLE E. BIGGERSTAFF | PHOTO BY JOHN A. SECOGES, SECOGES PHOTOGRAPHICS
