Leadership

Michelle Jackson President/CEO - Leadership

Michelle Jackson is the President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Nevada, a role she has held since July 1, 2026, when Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada and Junior Achievement of Northern Nevada united to form one statewide organization. A dedicated nonprofit leader, Michelle has spent more than a decade advancing opportunities for young people through financial literacy, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship education.

Previously, Michelle served as President of Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada beginning in 2014, where she led the organization's strategic direction, growth and community impact. Under her leadership, the organization expanded its reach across Las Vegas-area kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms and to young adults ages 18 to 25, helping more than 142,000 students develop the knowledge and skills they need to navigate their financial futures. She has consistently worked to strengthen partnerships with educators, business leaders, philanthropists and community stakeholders to ensure students have access to meaningful, real-world learning experiences.

Michelle is widely recognized for her ability to turn vision into action. Her leadership was instrumental in the creation of the JA Inspiration Center, which opened in 2024 as the first facility of its kind in Nevada. Through a capital campaign that raised more than $19 million, Junior Achievement purchased and renovated a 40,000-square-foot learning center that became home to JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, two nationally acclaimed, hands-on programs that help students connect classroom learning with personal finance, career exploration and entrepreneurship. The facility positioned the organization to expand its annual reach to nearly 60,000 students.

As President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Nevada, Michelle now leads the organization's statewide vision, guiding efforts to strengthen operations, expand student impact and enhance program development and fundraising across Nevada. Her work is rooted in the belief that financial literacy and career preparedness can transform lives, open doors and help foster economic mobility.

Before joining Junior Achievement, Michelle served as Director of Development at New Vista, where she led a capital campaign to support the first senior living facility and medical clinic for individuals with intellectual challenges. She has served on the Nevada Jump$tart Board, is a Jameson Fellowship fellow and is a member of Non-Profit Female CEOs and Leadership Las Vegas Class of 2020. She is also passionate about mentoring emerging nonprofit professionals and supporting the next generation of community leadership.

Michelle earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications, with an emphasis in advertising and business marketing, from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also holds a certification in nonprofit management and an advanced certificate in human resource management from UNLV. Throughout her career, Michelle has remained focused on creating brighter futures for young people and building stronger communities across Nevada.

Len Stevens ELC Campaign Champion - JA of Nevada - Northwestern Region - Leadership

Email
775-323-8084

Len Stevens began as the President of Junior Achievement of Northern Nevada in 2016. Now his expertise is pivoting to help bring an experiential learning center to northwestern Nevada to serve thousands more students giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future and make smart academic and economic choices.

Len is helping during the transition from two separate organizations into one unified Junior Achievement. Len is honored to have had the privilege of inspiring over 200,000 children in grades k- 12 throughout the 13 counties that encompass the Northern Nevada's.

Len is a distinguished business leader with 14 years in education, 32 years in coaching and mentoring students all over the world. Len spent 15 years as a CEO in the non-profit sector, and 6 years in radio marketing.

Throughout his career, Len's ability to bring diverse communities and business interest together for the common good has been recognized often with numerous awards and commendations from educational institutes, community organizations and has even been awarded the Seven Seals Recipient for meritorious leadership and initiative in support of the men and women who serve America in the National Guard and Reserve.

Kelly DeGuzman VP of Operations - Operations

Email
702-214-0502

Hometown: Upland, California
College: Chaffey College
Family: Wife and mother of two teenage boys
Why JA: Anyone's goals, both career and financial takes a plan. If you don't understand how to get started, Junior Achievement fills that gap and will walk with you on your first step of understanding.
Favorite JA moment: Every time I look into a student's eyes and see a deep comprehension of what is being taught!

Shanice Stevens Director of Community Engagement - Education

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LinkedIn Profile
702-214-0504

Shanice Stevens brings a profound commitment to Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, rooted in her identity as a proud Las Vegas native. She intimately understands the vibrant energy, challenges, and underestimated potential of the city's youth, particularly those who reflect her own journey. Her education, from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Journalism and Media Studies) to National University (Organizational Leadership), prepared her to be an unwavering advocate. She is also a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and godmother.

Magic Johnson's words, "All kids need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them," serve as Shanice's personal rallying cry. This philosophy drives her mission to provide tangible support and unwavering belief. She often recounts a powerful experience from a Career Success class in her first month with the organization: a determined student, seeking a scholarship for her dream Cosmetology School, meticulously applied the lessons. The sheer elation when, a week before the course ended, the student excitedly shared news of her scholarship, was unforgettable. Attributing her readiness to the class, this moment solidified Shanice's drive to ensure every student knows they have a true champion in their corner.

Kristin Reagan Northwestern Regional Director - Leadership

Email
775-323-8084

Kristin gets to bring entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work readiness programs to children spanning 13 counties by matching JA's wonderful volunteers with schools throughout northwestern Nevada.

Visiting several schools and students is her forte. As former owner of the Tumblebus, Kristin visited 25 schools and taught 350 students' gymnastics per week on a converted school bus.

She is an avid marathon runner, finishing 30 marathons, 30 half marathons and various 5Ks, 10Ks and relays. She loves training new runners in her spare time and co-owns a small RFID chip-timing business called Orange SKY Events.