Junior Achievement of Southeast Michigan Names Jason D. Lee President and CEO

DETROIT, June 14, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of Southeast Michigan (JASEM) announced today that Jason D. Lee was named president & CEO of JASEM, effective July 8, 2019. As president & CEO of the Junior Achievement regional office, Lee will manage the organization's work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy programs that currently reach 50,000 K-12 students in the area.

"Jason brings to JASEM a balance of organizational leadership, K-12 district partnership and fundraising needed to advance Junior Achievement's mission here in Southeast Michigan." stated Rod Wright, CEO of Engagement Media Company and Chairman of the Board of Directors for JASEM.

Lee joins JASEM from Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, where he was executive director of Grow Detroit's Young Talent. During his time at GDYT, Jason championed the strategy and $11.9M annual fund development for the 8,000+ participant summer youth employment program. He was instrumental in the development and launch of GDYT's Career Academy Program in conjunction with Detroit Public Schools Community District, Detroit's CEO Regional Workforce Group and the United Way of Southeast Michigan.

"Jason's knowledge of youth programming and fundraising made a significant impact on the GDYT program and team. We wish him well and know that he will continue to impact the youth of Detroit through Junior Achievement of Southeast Michigan," said Nicole Sherard-Freeman, president & CEO of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation.

"I am honored to join the dynamic team here at JASEM. The organization is doing incredible work and I look forward to continuing its legacy of youth impact and training here in Southeast Michigan," commented Jason D. Lee. "As I think about the preparation of our youth, the work of JASEM to educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise, business, and economics is critical. I look forward to ensuring that students experience JASEM's high-quality programs and gain the relevant skills for success in their future personal and professional lives."

Before joining DESC, Jason was CEO of Focus: HOPE. He began his career as an executive-on-loan from Ford Motor Company to the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP), where he served as executive director for 12 years. Lee has completed Harvard Business School's Executive Education Program, Social Enterprise Initiative: Strategic Perspective in Non-Profit Management, Leadership Detroit XXVIII and the National Urban Fellows: America's Leaders of Change programs. He has served on the Board of Directors of New Detroit Inc. and 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit.

"Jason has a strong track record of thought leadership, project development and collaboration with corporations, government agencies, cross-functional teams and the community. We are excited about his appointment and can't wait to see his impact on the organization and its youth participants," said Gina Coleman, senior vice president, client and community relations director for PNC Bank and JASEM Board vice chairwoman.

About Junior Achievement of Southeast Michigan (JASEM)
Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan is a franchised office of Junior Achievement. JASEM has been serving K-12 students in this region since 1949, nearly 70 years! With 20 programs in the areas of entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work-readiness JASEM proudly serves over 50,000 students annually from throughout the Southeast Michigan region. More than 50% of participants are from the city of Detroit.

SOURCE Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan