Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain

Greenwood Village, CO · Founded 1950

Teaching financial literacy and entrepreneurship to Rocky Mountain youth

Primary audience
Youth Students
Work area
Multi-State Programs
Topic
Economic Mobility
Contact
Robin Wise
Website Contact

About Organization

Inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy through programs teaching financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Based in Denver, CO, Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain delivers hands-on experiential learning programs to K-12 students throughout Colorado, with annual revenue of $4.1 million and support from volunteers helping students develop business acumen and economic understanding.

What They Focus On

Career-Connected Learning

Provides demonstrated approach giving students tools for career and work success through mentor-led applied experiences

Economic Mobility

Accelerates opportunity for students and families through high-quality programs removing financial barriers to participation

Educator Partnership

Supports teachers with comprehensive solutions meeting state requirements while integrating career readiness into instruction

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$7.5M

Expenses (2024)

$5.6M

Assets (2024)

$24.5M

Employees (2024)

46

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 $7,486,261 $5,594,891 $24,516,940 46
2023 — — — —
2023 $6,718,888 $5,280,388 $23,628,494 40
2022 — — — —
2022 $6,383,450 $4,056,455 $23,241,334 35
2020 $3,701,663 $3,086,001 $8,089,576 38
2019 $5,574,154 $4,053,984 $7,150,231 46
2018 $4,863,690 $4,606,433 $5,271,291 50
2017 $4,336,874 $4,225,873 $4,773,945 51

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Career-Connected Learning

    Delivers programs demonstrating career and work success tools backed by research showing effectiveness

  • 02

    Disruptive Experiences

    Immerses students in real-world experiences challenging assumptions through mentor-led applied learning

  • 03

    Educator Support

    Provides teachers with comprehensive solutions meeting state educational requirements and integrating career readiness

  • 04

    Economic Mobility

    Accelerates opportunity for students, families, and communities through high-quality no-cost programs

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain

JA Essential Work Skills

Prepares students for careers with credential validating professional competencies helping employers confidently hire qualified candidates

Daniels Fund Dream Accelerator

Provides interactive career exploration experience inspiring high school students to develop plans pursuing meaningful careers

Personal Financial Literacy

Supports educators with comprehensive solutions meeting state requirements in financial literacy and career readiness

JA Professional Development

Helps teachers integrate career-connected learning into classrooms through training and curriculum resources

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain.

RW

Robin Wise

President/Ce
Full-time
Compensation: $327,779
RT

Rachel Tibbetts

COO
Full-time
Compensation: $164,458
KS

Kristi Shaffer

Cdo
Full-time
Compensation: $226,859
JH

Jillian Hrnicek

VP Programs
Full-time
Compensation: $122,389
CD

Cliff Deffke

Controller
Full-time
Compensation: $101,413
AS

Anne Sherwood

Member
1 hrs/week
AK

Ari Kaufman

Member
1 hrs/week
BW

Beth Walker

Member
1 hrs/week
BH

Bob Hottman

Member
1 hrs/week
BK

Bremmer Kneib

Member
1 hrs/week
BC

Brenna Copeland

Member
1 hrs/week
BF

Brian Florey

Member
1 hrs/week
CY

Charlene Yaneza

Member
1 hrs/week
CG

Chris Gdowski

Member
1 hrs/week
CS

Chris Schmidt

Member
1 hrs/week
CH

Christian Hutter

Member
1 hrs/week
CH

Curt Howell

Member
1 hrs/week
DK

Daniel Katz

Member
1 hrs/week
DW

Danny Winsor

Member
1 hrs/week
DC

Dru Chiesa

Member
1 hrs/week
EN

Edward Nekritz

Member
1 hrs/week
EO

Eric Olson

Member
1 hrs/week
EW

Eric Wolf

Member
1 hrs/week
HB

Heather Barry

Member
1 hrs/week
JW

Jade Walle

Member
1 hrs/week
JT

James Taylor

Member
1 hrs/week
JL

Jeffrey Lenches

Member
1 hrs/week
JS

Jeffrey Schermerhorn

Member
1 hrs/week
JH

Jeremy Held

Member
1 hrs/week
JM

Jill Mincks

Member
1 hrs/week
JV

Jim Vaughn

Member
1 hrs/week
JW

Jim Wilson

Member
1 hrs/week
JD

John Dyer

Member
1 hrs/week
JW

John Weems

Member
1 hrs/week
JJ

Joni Johnson-Powe

Member
1 hrs/week
JL

Josh Levy

Member
1 hrs/week
JP

Justin Prochnow

Member
1 hrs/week
KI

Kathleen Ives

Member
1 hrs/week
KD

Keith Dennis

Member
1 hrs/week
KK

Kevin Kelley

Member
1 hrs/week
KS

Kevin Sachs

Member
1 hrs/week
LD

Lisa Davis

Member
1 hrs/week
LD

Lori Davis

Member
1 hrs/week
LR

Luis Ramirez

Member
1 hrs/week
MW

Marti Winer

Member
1 hrs/week
MB

Matt Betts

Member
1 hrs/week
MD

Meg Duke

Member
1 hrs/week
MG

Michael Gregg

Member
1 hrs/week
ML

Michael Liedtke

Member
1 hrs/week
MT

Mike Tilbury

Member
1 hrs/week
MD

Molly Duvall

Member
1 hrs/week
NB

Naomi Boyd

Member
1 hrs/week
NA

Natalie Artibee

Member
1 hrs/week
NM

Ned Minor

Member
1 hrs/week
NN

Nick Niehaus

Member
1 hrs/week
PT

Paul Thompson

Member
1 hrs/week
PC

Peter Coors

Member
1 hrs/week
RH

Ryan Helmer

Member
1 hrs/week
SM

Sally Messinger

Member
1 hrs/week
SY

Samuel Ysusi

Member
1 hrs/week
SR

Sandy Rothe

Member
1 hrs/week
SG

Sarah Gustashaw

Member
1 hrs/week
SL

Sharon Linhart

Member
1 hrs/week
SB

Shawn Barker

Member
1 hrs/week
SB

Sheryl Bollinger

Member
1 hrs/week
SS

Sloan Smith

Member
1 hrs/week
SA

Stephen Agee

Member
1 hrs/week
SK

Steve Kinsley

Member
1 hrs/week
TR

Tarra Ryerson

Member
1 hrs/week
TW

Thomas Wallace

Member
1 hrs/week
TD

Tim Dusseau

Member
1 hrs/week
TW

Tim Walsh

Member
1 hrs/week
TC

Tony Covello

Member
1 hrs/week
TC

Toti Cadavid

Member
1 hrs/week
TS

Troy Stalter

Member
1 hrs/week
VC

Vivek Choudhury

Member
1 hrs/week
WP

Wade Pursell

Member
1 hrs/week

Milestones

1950

Chapter Founded

1950

Established Rocky Mountain chapter bringing economic education programs to Colorado and Wyoming students

2010s

Dream Accelerator Launch

2010s

Partnered with Daniels Fund creating interactive career exploration experience for high school students

2020s

Essential Skills Program

2020s

Introduced work skills credential preparing students for careers and helping employers hire qualified candidates

2024

Expanded Impact

2024

Achieved $7.5 million revenue with $24.5 million in assets supporting 46 staff and 2,752 volunteers

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AE
Anna Ewing Treasurer 2.00 hrs/week
DF
Darrin Foster Board Chair 2.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$1.0M

Highest Paid

$353K

Robin Wise

Compensated Officers

5

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Robin Wise President/Ce $327,779 $25,359 $353,138 40
Kristi Shaffer CDO $226,859 $15,466 $242,325 40
Rachel Tibbetts COO $164,458 $14,712 $179,170 40
Jillian Hrnicek VP Programs $122,389 $15,049 $137,438 40
Cliff Deffke Controller $101,413 $14,125 $115,538 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$887K

Total Forgiven

$893K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

60

Loan Details 2 loans

$443,742
Forgiven
Forgiven: $446,022 100%
Approved Feb 11, 2021
Lender FirstBank
Jobs Reported 25
Forgiven On Aug 23, 2021
$443,500
Forgiven
Forgiven: $447,003 100%
Approved Apr 6, 2020
Lender FirstBank
Jobs Reported 35
Forgiven On Jan 11, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$911K Grants Received
18 Organizations

Top Funders

18 total
TD
The Denver Foundation
$322K
CG
Colorado Gives Foundation
$144K
AO
American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
$77K
DB
Denver Broncos Foundation
$75K
DD
Delta Dental Of Colorado
$60K
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$58K
DF
Deloitte Foundation
$40K
MH
Mile High United Way Inc.
$25K
AC
Amg Charitable Gift Foundation 5 grants
$21K
RC
Rose Community Foundation
$21K
+8 more funders
The Denver Foundation Colorado Gives Foundation American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Denver Broncos Foundation Delta Dental Of Colorado Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Deloitte Foundation Mile High United Way Inc. Amg Charitable Gift Foundation Rose Community Foundation The Albertsons Companies Foundation Wyoming Community Foundation The Weld Trust Mdc Richmond American Homes Foundation Core Electric Cooperative The Dorsey & Whitney Foundation Steamboat Springs Education Fund Rsm US Foundation
The Denver Foundation Colorado Gives Foundation American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Denver Broncos Foundation Delta Dental Of Colorado Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Deloitte Foundation Mile High United Way Inc. Amg Charitable Gift Foundation Rose Community Foundation The Albertsons Companies Foundation Wyoming Community Foundation The Weld Trust Mdc Richmond American Homes Foundation Core Electric Cooperative The Dorsey & Whitney Foundation Steamboat Springs Education Fund Rsm US Foundation

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Related Organizations

1 affiliated entity reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule R

1

Disregarded Entities

1
Ja Free Enterprise Center LLC
Greenwood Village, CO
Education
DRE
Assets: $18.1M

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule R (Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships)

Contact

Get in touch with Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain

Phone

(303) 260-6294 (303) 534-5252

Social

Visit Website
6500 Greenwood Plaza Blvd Greenwood Village, CO 80111