JASWNE 2026 More Than Money Conference

On October 22, 175 fifth-grade students from Thompson Brook School in Avon, Latimer Lane School in Simsbury, and Riverside Magnet School in East Hartford came together at Aetna/CVS Health in Hartford for Junior Achievement’s More Than Money Conference - an exciting day of learning, discovery, and real-world financial education!

The day kicked off with a warm welcome from Anthony Salerno, Vice President of Enterprise Strategy at Aetna/CVS Health and a member of JA’s Board of Directors, who helped set the stage for a memorable learning experience.

Students then headed into classrooms, where Aetna/CVS Health employees stepped into the role of educators, bringing lessons from JA’s More Than Money curriculum to life. Through engaging, hands-on activities and interactive discussions, students explored important financial concepts and began building the knowledge and confidence to make smart decisions about money.

The success of the conference was made possible in part by Vivilyn Smith, Compliance Manager at Aetna/CVS Health, who helped coordinate the day and bring this meaningful learning experience to life.

A special thank-you also goes to JA Volunteer Cathy Boyes, a retired Aetna employee who has supported this program for an incredible 21 years! Her longstanding dedication to Junior Achievement and its mission has helped make this valuable learning experience possible for generations of students. Her commitment is a wonderful example of the lasting impact one volunteer can have on young people and their futures.

By connecting students with professionals who bring real-world experience into the classroom, the conference offered more than a lesson in financial literacy. It gave students an opportunity to see how the skills they are learning today can help shape their futures.