Celebrating Economic and Community Impact at JA’s Maine Business Hall of Fame

Three distinguished leaders showcase what is possible in building a career in Maine

Author: Junior Achievement of Maine
Community Involvement
Published: Tuesday, 04 Nov 2025

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Three business leaders who have made a lasting impact on Maine’s economy were honored at JA’s Maine Business Hall of Fame on October 29, 2025 at The Holiday Inn by the Bay.

Over 450 people representing businesses, organizations, and educational institutions from across the state came to celebrate the 2025 Laureates.

Congratulations to:
LuAnn Ballesteros, Vice President, External and Government Affairs, The Jackson Laboratory
David A. Greene, President, Colby College
Guy Langevin, Executive Advisor, Dead River Company

Junior Achievement accelerates economic mobility for youth and empowers Maine’s student body with skill sets to become the state’s future leaders, business owners, and community developers. Laureates showcase what is possible for students when they build a career in Maine.

JA’s Maine Business Hall of Fame also provides a platform for students to share the impact JA learning experiences have had on them. This year’s event highlighted five students representing Hermon Middle School, Deering High School, and Wells Junior High School.

It was an inspiring evening that showcased the shared commitment to Maine among the evening’s attendees and what is possible when we invest in students. Key highlights from the speakers include:

Laureate LuAnn Ballesteros of The Jackson Laboratory encouraged the audience to “keep showing up for our young people. Let’s mentor, encourage, and open doors.” View prerecorded video.
Laureate President David A. Greene of Colby College’s leadership in catalyzing $250 million in investments in downtown Waterville. View prerecorded video.
Laureate Guy Langevin of Dead River Company, demonstrated his deep appreciation for Maine, and the importance of mentorship in building the state’s future workforce through organizations like JA Maine and Boots2Roots. View prerecorded video.
Zade Smith, Deering High School, shared how a JA Career Speaker inspired him to open a ROTH IRA.
Natalie Dickerson, Wells Junior High School, spoke about being mentored by a Chief Navy Diver through JA.
Bennett Brown, Hermon Middle School, reflected on years of JA learning experiences he has had from second through sixth grade that has strengthened his entrepreneurial mindset and soft skills.

These reflections are bolstered by a 2025 Ipsos study underscoring Junior Achievement’s impact by showing:

56% of JA alumni go in the same field as their volunteer.
87% of JA alumni believe it played an important role in shaping their belief they can achieve their goals.
Over half of JA Alumni say that their work ethic, career choices, or money management, were positively influenced in some way by Junior Achievement learning experiences.

JA Maine is on track to impact close to 20,000 K-12^th grade students across the state this year, and its Maine Business Hall of Fame is a signature fundraiser for the nonprofit. This year the event raised close to $400,000 to provide more students in Maine with the same opportunities and classroom experiences our speakers received.

JA Maine thanks its Presenting Sponsor, Central Maine Power and Visionary Sponsor, MEMIC for making the event possible.

To volunteer with JA Maine or get your company involved with the organization, visit jamaine.org.

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