Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast (JA PBTC) is proud to announce the appointment of Katie Spitzig Thompson as its new President.
Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering K–12 students across Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Hendry counties. The organization’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy through hands-on programs focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness. Programs like JA BizTown® Mobile, JA Finance Park Virtual, and JA Inspire® Entry offer immersive learning experiences that allow students to explore careers, manage personal finances, and run simulated businesses. These impactful initiatives are made possible through a network of dedicated volunteers, educators, and business partners who share a common goal: to inspire and prepare youth for lifelong success.
With a passion for education, student empowerment, and community impact, Katie Spitzig Thompson brings a wealth of experience to this new role. Her background spans more than a decade in nonprofit and education leadership, marked by a strong track record of operational excellence and program innovation.
In a social media post, Katie wrote, “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue working alongside our amazing team, dedicated volunteers, and supportive community partners! Excited for this next chapter at Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast!
Katie began her career in education as a middle and high school English teacher and later served as a high school Assistant Principal. She was honored as a High Impact Teacher by the Florida Department of Education and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University.
In 2020, Katie joined JA PBTC as the Middle & High School Program Manager and quickly rose to Vice President of Education. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in expanding the organization’s reach and enhancing program effectiveness. Under her leadership, JA PBTC achieved record-breaking student outreach, launched innovative career exploration initiatives like JA Inspire®, and secured essential funding to support its mission of preparing young people for success in a global economy.
In the 2021–2022 academic year and during the height of the COVID pandemic, JA PBTC served more than 71,000 students throughout its service area. The organization was recognized nationally with the 5-Star Award from Junior Achievement USA, a distinction that honors excellence in program implementation and impact.
Katie is also an alumna of Leadership Palm Beach County’s Class of 2021 and resides in Jupiter, Florida, with her husband, Michael, and two stepsons.
Please join us in congratulating Katie Spitzig Thompson on her well-deserved promotion. The future of Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast is brighter than ever under her leadership, as the organization continues to inspire and prepare the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.
For more information about Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast, visit www.palmbeachtreasurecoast.ja.org