Junior Achievement and Crain's Business Cleveland honor five outstanding local students

Image caption: Crain's Business Cleveland "40 Under 40" leaders meet JA's "5 Under 18" honorees

NOTE: This story was orginally featured and written by Brooke Bilyj for Crain's Content Studio as paid sponsored content by Junior Achievement and can be found HERE.

As the next generation prepares to enter the workforce, they can learn a lot from the young professionals who paved the path before them. 

To spur this cross-generational knowledge transfer, Crain’s Cleveland Business recently hosted a roundtable discussion between five of this year’s “40 Under 40” professionals and five bright young students selected by Junior Achievement (JA) of Greater Cleveland.

“We’re trying to fill the gap of recognizing young people in our community,” said JA President and CEO Al DiFranco. “Our hope is to create a yearlong opportunity for these students to get some mentorship.” 

In 2025, JA will launch “18 Under 18” to do exactly that; this new recognition program will spotlight our region’s outstanding young people and provide opportunities to build their skills and leadership potential. 

In this recent roundtable discussion, Crain’s Content Studio Manager Jennifer Keirn moderated an hour-long conversation that generated insightful advice from experienced executives and thoughtful questions from aspiring young leaders. Highlighting the value of mentorship across the generational divide, the dialogue offered a glimpse into the evolving dynamics shaping the future workplace. 

“[This event] is a good opportunity for me, for my future,” said Jearen Javier Benitez-Resto, 10, a fifth grader at Buhrer Dual Language Academy.

Image caption: Claire Bank, Educational Design Lead, ThenDesign Architecture and Jearen Javier Benitez-Resto, a student at Buhrer Dual Language Academy.

The value of mentorship

Recognizing the coaches who guided them, the young professionals were quick to emphasize the value of mentorship in navigating career opportunities. 

Chris Kaiser, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, credited his first boss for providing the support to succeed — and also the freedom to fail. “He gave me confidence because he allowed me to … make mistakes,” he said. “Find someone who believes in you and will give you opportunities — but then you also have to take them.” 

Students acknowledged their parents or teachers as mentors, then asked for advice on expanding their networks. “You make connections in lots of different ways,” explained Claire Bank, an architect at ThenDesign Architecture — whether through sports, volunteer organizations or professional work. 

“Networking and [building] connections will take you a long way,” agreed Monica Ghose, director of donor engagement and stewardship at United Way of Greater Cleveland. “All of those connections can help in the long run, so talk to everybody with respect. You never know when you’ll cross paths again.”

Image caption: Rachele Hill, Director of Human Resources, Osborn Engineering, and Nora Klein, a student at Mayfield High School.

Professional development 

With dream jobs ranging from investment banking to international business, the students asked the young professionals what type of experiences can set them up for success and help them find their passion along the way. 

Rachele Hill, director of human resources at Osborn Engineering, recommended internships. “Even if it’s unpaid while you’re in high school, it’s going to help you navigate what you want to do,” said Hill, who pursued a mortgage banking internship and explored social work before earning her business degree. “The more stuff you try out, the more you can figure out what you actually want to do.” 

And, just as importantly, “you’re going to learn [what] you don’t want to do,” added Kaiser, who initially studied accounting and started his career at PwC before pivoting into sports marketing, emphasizing the importance of “being open to new opportunities.”

Image caption: (From left) Rose Lane, a student at North Olmsted High School and Polaris Career Center, Adam Artman, President and Executive Director, Manufacturing Works, Claire Bank, Educational Design Lead, ThenDesign Architecture and Jearen Javier Benitez-Resto, Buhrer Dual Language Academy.

Others reiterated this advice throughout the conversation, echoed by Adam Artman’s “just say yes” philosophy. “Everything’s a learning experience,” said Artman, president and executive director of Manufacturing Works. “What separates people from finding their ceiling early, versus finding their ceiling later, is their ability to learn.”

The Gen Z vibe

To harness the vibes that Gen Z brings to the workforce, it’s vital to understand the value they add. These strengths include “knowing what we want in our work environment and communicating our needs,” said Jaivon Hall, 17, a student at Garrett Morgan School of Leadership and Innovation. 

“My generation, a lot of them are passionate about what they’re into and they take the lead,” added Cooper Bottcher, 18, a student at Chagrin Falls High School.

That ambition comes with expectations, thanks to social media. Having grown up watching YouTubers and TikTok stars broadcast their luxurious lifestyles, “We’re surrounded by the idea of money and success, so there’s a lot of pressure on young people,” noted Nora Klein, soon-to-be 18, a student at Mayfield High School and an intern at JA. “We’re all in a rush to get a job, make money, start a family. … We’re trying to get ahead.” 

This accelerated drive to succeed, combined with the boldness to ask for what they want, will propel this generation forward — especially if they lean on the support of those who have gone before. “Be receptive to the coaching they’re trying to offer you,” Hill advised.

Image caption: (From left): Jaivon Hall, a student at Garrett Morgan School of Leadership and Innovation, Chris Kaiser, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Cleveland Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse and Cooper Bottcher, a student at Chagrin Falls High School.

By facilitating dialogue across the age gap, this conversation proved that leaders have plenty to learn from Gen Z — not just the other way around. By flexing their unique perspectives, Gen Z is poised for the future ahead.  “[Because of] the opportunities we’re being given now, we’re learning so much younger,” said Rose Lane, 17, a student at North Olmsted High School who also attends Polaris Career Center. “We’re already ahead of some college students, and we haven’t even graduated high school yet.”