<p>n this episode of Belmar Bytes, host Scott Billows sits down with Wendi Campbell, President and CEO of Junior Achievement BC (JABC), to discuss the critical role of financial literacy and entrepreneurship in today’s world. With a history spanning 70 years in British Columbia, JABC was the first international charter of Junior Achievement outside of the United States and now reaches over 90,000 students annually across the province.</p><p>Wendi shares her journey from a three-decade career in financial services to leading a non-profit dedicated to equipping youth with &quot;life skills&quot; like budgeting, investing, and career readiness. The conversation explores how JABC is combating financial misinformation on social media and addressing the decline of entrepreneurship in Canada through hands-on, experiential learning.</p><p>Key highlights from this episode include:</p><ul><li><p>The Three Pillars: How JABC delivers essential education in financial health, work readiness, and entrepreneurship for students in grades 3 through 12.</p></li><li><p>The Company Program: A deep dive into JABC’s flagship 12–16 week program where students ideate, fund, and launch their own businesses under the mentorship of business leaders.</p></li><li><p>TechWorks: Insights into the annual high school symposium that sparks interest in technology careers through hands-on workshops.</p></li><li><p>Operational Excellence: How JABC utilizes Salesforce as a &quot;single source of truth&quot; to drive efficiency and collaboration across their development and program teams.</p></li><li><p>The Multiplier Effect: The long-term impact of JABC programs, including data showing that graduates are 50% more likely to start a business.</p></li></ul><p>Whether you are an educator looking to bring these programs into your classroom at no extra cost or a business professional interested in volunteering, this episode offers a compelling look at how we can better equip the next generation for success.</p><p><br></p>