Uniting Alumni Leaders Across Continents: The New Era of the Alumni Leaders Academy Global Sessions
May 13, 2025
The Alumni Leaders Academy Global sessions, hosted by Dana Khairallah, Alumni Community Manager at JA Worldwide, continue in 2025 with an even stronger focus on peer-led storytelling, showcasing regional pride, and celebrating the impact of alumni across continents. These sessions have become a living testament to what happens when leadership, community, and purpose collide.
Leading Alumni Voice: Stories That Shape the Future
As always, Dana opened the session with reflections on collective growth and the power of global alumni collaboration. Then, the spotlight turned to this month’s Leading Alumni Voice, a segment dedicated to highlighting alumni journeys that inspire, provoke thought, and remind us why we lead.
“Resilience” by Mohamed Benziane, President of JA Alumni France (EPA)
Resilience is everywhere.
It surrounds us, silently shaping the way we grow, the way we act, and especially the way we lead. In truth, every leader carries within them a form of resilience, not always visible but always present. Because no, leadership doesn’t mean doing everything exactly as we imagined. Quite the opposite.
When one steps into a leadership role—especially in its strategic dimension, like overseeing a network or launching an initiative—we often arrive filled with ambition, dreams, and well-laid plans. We come with ideas we believe are as solid as concrete. But then, reality strikes. And with it, a multitude of variables we never anticipated. It’s in those moments, when the ground shifts beneath us, that resilience becomes essential.
We adapt. We adjust. We face frustrations that can, at times, feel unbearable. But still, we push forward — because despite everything, there’s something greater that drives us. It’s the impact we can have. It’s the conviction that what we do matters. And when that truth sinks in, we find the strength to continue, no matter how uncertain the path becomes.
My own journey with resilience began with the Mini-Entreprise project, during the height of COVID-19, a time that shattered so many dreams and left us, like many others, disoriented. Yet we didn’t give up. We persisted, reinvented ourselves, and saw it through to the end. That perseverance led us to become regional middle school champions. A title, yes, but more than that: a testament to what resilience, teamwork, and vision can achieve.”
Because that is, at its core, what leadership is about. The ability to rise above obstacles, above doubt, above the temptation to give up. It’s about standing firm when everything around you shifts, and moving forward with courage even when the outcome is uncertain.
Mohamed opened the floor for other leaders to share their takes, asking if they think they have achieved the “perfect balance, giving it all” between life and volunteering time with JA or any other organizations. In general, the group agreed that perfection is not the goal. The belief that you must control everything, that every detail must align with your original vision is a kind of perfectionism that can become toxic. Instead, take a step back. Breathe. Give yourself the space to reflect and recalibrate. And most of all, remember why you started.
“Yes, to build a more sustainable, more equitable world. But also to grow, to challenge yourself in an environment that fosters both personal and collective development. Don't let your own expectations become your cage.” That, to Mohamed and leaders, is the essence of resilience.
JA Americas Regional Showcase: Road Trip Edition
In a celebration of diversity, unity, and passion, this month’s Regional Showcase took us on a whirlwind “Road Trip” through JA Americas, hosted by powerhouse trio Federica Pereira, Augustin Piriz, and Emilia Barrera.
They kicked things off by welcoming participants with high energy, spotlighting the region’s vast landscape, and celebrating the inauguration of the JA Americas Regional Alumni Board. From the seasoned alumni network in Uruguay to the newly emerging voices in Ecuador and Honduras, each stop on the road trip revealed a piece of the collective heartbeat of the Americas.
What’s Happening Now
The JA Americas region is experiencing a vibrant resurgence in alumni activity, fueled by the formal launch of the Regional Alumni Board and a renewed commitment to cross-country collaboration. From legacy networks like Nexa Brasil and Uruguay to emerging powerhouses in Guatemala, Venezuela, and Ecuador, each chapter is contributing to a mosaic of shared leadership and purpose. There’s been a noticeable shift toward strategic alignment with JA offices, robust volunteer hours, and a rise in intergenerational engagement. Alumni are not only reactivating their local chapters but also reshaping the narrative of what post-program engagement looks like—centered on inclusion, innovation, and impact.
A Road Trip Through JA Americas: Local Chapter Highlights
Argentina: Martina Guarnerio, President of JA Argentina Alumni
Formed in 2020, JA Argentina Alumni has 31 members on its national team and 6,700 Instagram followers. They’ve impacted nearly 1,200 individuals through their programming. One of their flagship initiatives, Speak Up!, is an English employability workshop with annual editions since 2021. This year, they aim to generate 650 individual impact moments through eight new programs.
Bahamas: Bashar Isaacs, President of JA Bahamas Alumni
The first English-speaking alumni council in the region, JA Bahamas Alumni was established in March 2023 and now boasts 85 active members. Their standout event, “Nautical Nuir,” brought together alumni from the class of 1979 onward in a night of networking, sponsored by Royal Caribbean. Looking ahead, the network is focusing on fundraising initiatives to support JA Bahamas, aligning their work with key pillars like mentorship, volunteerism, and business development.
Brazil: Felipe Pontes, President of Nexa Brasil
Home to the first-ever JA alumni network, Brazil’s Nexa Alumni is a powerhouse with 285 volunteers and 684+ hours of work in just the last cycle. Their Nexa Leaders Academy and PDCN (Nexa Development and Training Program) are setting regional standards in strategic planning, leadership, and impact design. With “Echoing Transformation” as this year’s theme, they are preparing for a landmark celebration of their 30th anniversary in 2026.
Chile: Rosangel Arispe, President of JA Chile Alumni
Launched in December 2024, JA Chile’s alumni network began by hosting a cozy coffee talk where alumni reconnected over food and shared stories. Despite being small, their passion is big. They’re now planning a mentorship and workshop series for high school seniors from vulnerable communities—an initiative designed to spark career purpose and personal vision.
Costa Rica: Jimena Mercedes, President of JA Costa Rica Alumni
Formed in October 2024, JA Costa Rica is already rolling. With a board of 8 and 30 engaged members, they invest a collective 5 hours per week in volunteer work. Their major milestone was their in-person board meeting during JA Costa Rica’s 35th anniversary. Up next: a Spotify podcast series, webinars on scholarships and marketing, and an end-of-year innovation camp for young changemakers.
Ecuador: José Daniel Rubio, Representative of JA Ecuador Alumni
Currently in pre-launch mode, JA Ecuador’s alumni network is expected to officially launch by the end of April 2025. With seven volunteers already clocking over 420 hours, their foundation is strong. Their focus now is on finalizing the event and building a sustainable structure that can engage alumni long-term while showcasing their commitment to education and entrepreneurship.
Guatemala: Rodrigo Godoy Arrecis, Representative of JA Guatemala Alumni
Established in August, JA Guatemala’s 45 active members are already leaving their mark. One highlight is their climate action project, where they planted over 120 trees in a protected area with partners like MIA San Lucas and the local municipality. Next, they’re organizing a high-impact event in collaboration with CACIF Guatemala and Universidad Marroquín, with both international and national speakers.
Honduras: Gissell Raudales, President of JA Honduras Alumni
Launched in February 2025, JA Honduras Alumni is a small but mighty network of seven committed members. Their participation in the Venezuela launch and regional bootcamp shows their cross-border spirit. Now, they’re diving into personal development with a mental health-focused approach, developing soft skills activities that empower their alumni on both a personal and professional level.
Mexico: Hilary Serrano, President of JA Mexico Alumni
Founded in 2015, the JA Mexico Alumni Network has grown into a vibrant hub with 106 active members who regularly volunteer to support JA’s mission. One of their most heartfelt initiatives is “Giving Smiles”—a campaign where alumni visit children’s hospitals and homes to spread joy and distribute donations. As they prepare to celebrate their 10th anniversary this October, the network is planning a landmark event to commemorate a decade of impact and community.
Paraguay: Sebastián Gonzales, President of JA Paraguay Alumni
One of the newer networks, Paraguay launched in September 2024 and already has 13 active members. They recently hosted a CV and interview workshop that drew strong local participation. Their next move is forming partnerships with national universities to expand reach and attract new alumni to the network.
Peru: Ángela Becerra, President of JA Peru Alumni
Since its reboot in 2024, JA Peru Alumni has grown from two to 26 board members. Their engagement strategy includes an ambassador model inspired by Germany and targeted programming across age groups (14–17, 18–24, and 25+). In addition to mentoring sessions, they’ll host an Alumni Full Day in August and the first-ever Alumni Awards in December—both of which are pay-to-play. With over 18k in reach and big goals, this is one of the most rapidly scaling networks in the region.
St. Lucia: Gina James, Representative of JA St. Lucia Alumni
Though officially launched in 2019, the St. Lucia network is reawakening with a renewed mission. With just four active members, they made a strong impression when a representative attended the JA Global Alumni Conference in Portugal. Now, they’re aligning closely with JA St. Lucia to reintroduce the JA program in schools this September and ensure that new students become alumni ambassadors for the future.
Uruguay: Lucas Gonzales, President of JA Uruguay Alumni
Founded in 2001, JA Uruguay is one of the oldest and most established alumni networks. Their deep integration with JA operations includes alumni serving as staff and even on the Board of Directors. Last year, they hosted a 50-person intergenerational event and are planning new podcast episodes and a revival of Alumni Weekend—a 3-day retreat for youth aged 16–20 to discover purpose, build soft skills, and connect deeply with peers.
Venezuela: Jennipher Dolinski, President of JA Venezuela Alumni
Officially reconstituted in February 2025, JA Venezuela has already built a strong foundation with 4 board members and 17 active volunteers. With support from JA Venezuela, KPMG, AVAA, and other partners, their launch event marked a powerful restart. Now, they’re planning an event on women’s empowerment and collaborating with JA Mexico on a global alumni gathering initiative.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, JA Americas is moving into a new phase of structured growth and regional coherence. Plans are underway for high-impact, multi-country collaborations, the expansion of signature programs like Alumni Weekend and Nexa Leaders Academy, and a focus on pay-to-play alumni events that sustain long-term operations. The region is also exploring ambassador models, podcast networks, and professional development tracks tailored to alumni of all ages. With over a dozen countries already contributing to this wave of transformation, JA Americas is poised to become a global leader in alumni-led innovation—building not just programs, but a sustainable movement.
Each presentation wasn’t just a “what we did” moment—it was a window into how alumni are transforming their communities with purpose and persistence.
Closing with Connection (and a Lot of Laughs!)
To close, the trio introduced Gartic Phone, an interactive drawing game that sparked creativity, laughter, and connection across borders. Alumni doodled their favorite JA moments—mascots, programs, and iconic memories—and cheered each other on as the drawings traveled (and evolved!) around the virtual room.
What’s Next
As always, the Global Recap and highlight moments will be shared across social media, and our Networking Rooms will remain open for those interested in connecting with new collaborators or co-creating regional initiatives.
Up next, we’ll spotlight a new Leading Alumni Voice and take our next regional stop in the journey of global leadership. Stay tuned!