Honoring Leaders of the Present and Future- Highlights from the 2025 JA Business Hall of Fame
Author: Junior Achievement of Southwest New England
Entrepreneurship
Published:
Wednesday, 23 Apr 2025
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Image caption: 2025 Honorees at the 46th Annual JA Business Hall of Fame
On April 1, Junior Achievement of Southwest New England hosted its 46th Annual JA Business Hall of Fame in Hartford, an evening bringing together local businesses and community members to celebrate the power of outstanding leadership, entrepreneurship, and community impact.
Throughout the evening, JASWNE honored four individuals and two companies for their lasting contributions to Connecticut’s business landscape, alongside their continued investment in the betterment of our local communities.
Meet the 2025 JA Business Hall of Fame Honorees:
We were proud to recognize these exceptional leaders and organizations, whose stories of resilience, service, and vision inspired all in attendance. Heartfelt moments, laughs, and meaningful reflections were shared as we celebrated the following honorees:
- Joanne Berger-Sweeney – Laureate
- Dr. Khalilah Brown-Dean – Spirit of Hope Award
- Judge Eric D. Daniels – Laureate
- Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana – Entrepreneur Award
- Liberty Bank – Community Leadership Award
- Bob Olsen – Entrepreneur Award
Each of them exemplifies the values JA upholds, and their commitment to community reminds us that real success lies in creating lasting, positive change.
JA Student Entrepreneurs Take the Stage:
Guests had the chance to connect with students from the JA Entrepreneurial Academy, a 16-week after-school program where high schoolers create, manage, and eventually dissolve real businesses. This year’s student-run ventures, including Pocket Power, Sole Shine, and Ever Write pitched their products and engaged with attendees, impressing them with their confidence, professionalism, and entrepreneurial spirit.
That confidence was especially evident when Zainab Z., a high school junior and Vice President of Ever Write, took the stage. She spoke candidly about her experience in the Academy — the challenges of building a sustainable business, the value of teamwork, and the personal growth she’s experienced along the way. Her story was a powerful reminder of the impact JA programs have, and why so many had gathered to celebrate that evening.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Thanks to the generosity of our incredible community of supporters, the 2025 JA Business Hall of Fame raised $342,905 to support Junior Achievement programs. This support ensures that more students across Connecticut can access the tools, confidence, and experiences they need to thrive and build successful and financially-sound careers and futures.
We are deeply grateful to each and every one of our valued sponsors, whose partnership and support were instrumental in bringing this impactful event to life.
Get Involved with the Future of JA!
If you're inspired by the stories you heard and want to help empower the next generation of Connecticut business leaders, we invite you to learn more about our programs to discover the ways you can make a difference. Visit our events page or get involved today to join us in building a stronger future, one student at a time.
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