#United States #Salt Lake City #Junior Achievement #CNBC #Salt Lake City, Utah

CNBC Partners with Junior Achievement of Utah and Idaho

On December 11, CNBC will collaborate with Junior Achievement of Utah and Idaho for a special event at JA City in Salt Lake City. This partnership aims to engage students and the wider community, focusing on critical skills such as personal finance and entrepreneurship. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort by CNBC to foster economic understanding and inspire young minds to pursue their business aspirations.

The event, moderated by CNBC's Senior Personal Finance Correspondent Sharon Epperson, will feature a live panel of prominent Utah entrepreneurs. Participants will also compete in a unique challenge called the "JA It's My Business! Competition," where they’ll learn how to transform their innovative ideas into actionable business plans.

Christy Tribe, President of Junior Achievement of Utah and Idaho, expressed her excitement about this collaboration, stating, "CNBC has been an invaluable partner over the years, facilitating visits to local Junior Achievement facilities in cities like Nashville and Denver. This experience enables our students to thrive in an environment rich with entrepreneurial energy inherent to Salt Lake City and Utah as a whole."

Additionally, Mary Duffy, Vice President and Senior Executive Producer for Talent Development at CNBC, emphasized the organization's commitment to financial education. "At CNBC, we understand the importance of teaching financial literacy. We are thrilled to extend this mission to Salt Lake City's youth, ensuring they have the necessary tools for informed financial decisions throughout their lives."

The group of entrepreneurs mentoring students at the event includes:

• - Joon Beh – Founder and CEO of Hallo
• - Morgan Brown – Founder of Blendyd Studios
• - Trent Mano – Co-Founder of Convoi Ventures and Utah Tech Week

Moreover, a distinguished judging panel will assess the students’ business pitches, comprising:

• - Sandi Hendry – Founder of Minky Couture
• - Brandon Fugal – Chairman and Co-Owner of Colliers International in Utah, also a board member of JA of Utah and Idaho
• - Steve Daly – CEO of Instructure and former board chair of JA of Utah and Idaho
• - Ashley Caldwell – Olympic Gold Medalist in Aerial Skiing and Senior Associate of Capital Markets at Sundance Bay

The judges will be introduced by Brett Anderson, the incoming chair of JA of Utah and Idaho, and Shara Park, the President of Computech Consulting and KSL TV Breaking News Anchor.

Junior Achievement, as a global leader in youth economic education, equips young individuals with essential knowledge and skills for achieving economic success. Their programs empower students from kindergarten through high school, emphasizing financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship through hands-on experiences provided by community volunteers. Currently, Junior Achievement reaches over 4.6 million students annually across 99 markets in the United States, contributing to a broader effort that impacts 12.5 million students in over 100 countries worldwide. To learn more about Junior Achievement, visit www.ja.org.

This collaborative effort emphasizes the vital link between education and practical entrepreneurial skills essential for the next generation of leaders," said Duffy. The event seeks to inspire students to take control of their financial futures and encourage a culture of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in Salt Lake City.