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Junior Achievement Hall of Fame

The Junior Achievement Hall of Fame recognized outstanding community leaders who demonstrate integrity, generosity, and excellence in what they do. These leaders offer inspiration to Junior Achievement North students.  

Read on to learn more about our 2023 Laureates and experience the celebration by watching our event recap video. It was so energizing to hear from our engaging Laureates, see JA North students in action, and connect with some of our partners. Together, sponsors and guests helped raise over $360,000 to support students. THANK YOU! 

Congratulations to our 2023 Laureates!

  • Derek A. Beevas, III (Tomme)

    Pimento Jamaican Kitchen, Founder & Chief Strategic Officer
  • Dr. Joe Gothard

    Saint Paul Public Schools, Superintendent
  • Marcia Page

    MPowered Capital, Founder & CEO and Värde Partners, Co-Founder
  • Deling Chen

    Junior Achievement North Student, Sock Munch Founder 
Derek A. Beevas III (Tomme) – Pimento Jamaican Kitchen, Founder & Chief Strategic Officer

Tomme leads Pimento Jamaican Kitchen’s growth strategy as well as leading Pimento Relief Services and the Pimento Foundation in their support for leaders on the frontlines of economic, social and political liberation. Tomme previously served as a corporate executive responsible for Cargill’s global community involvement programs. A recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Bill Clinton, Tomme also managed the same award for President George W. Bush and held posts at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Tomme was a JA student and volunteer.

Dr. Joe Gothard – Saint Paul Public Schools, Superintendent

Dr. Gothard has been superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) since 2017, which is the second-largest and most diverse school district in Minnesota. He launched the SPPS Achieves strategic plan in 2018 to set aspirational and attainable goals for student achievement and focus the district’s efforts on long-term student outcomes. Previously, he worked in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District and the Madison Metropolitan School District. He co-chairs the Generation Next Executive Committee and sits on the boards of Genesys Works Twin Cities and The Minnesota Association of School Administrators, which named him a Regional Administrator of Excellence in 2021.

Marcia Page – MPowered Capital, Founder & CEO and Värde Partners, Co-Founder

Marcia founded MPowered Capital and serves as CEO, focusing on accelerating equity for diverse talent through capital, commitment, and connections. She is also Co-Founder of Värde Partners where she served as Co-CEO and Co-CIO until 2016 and currently serves as the firm’s Co-Executive Chair. Previously, Marcia served as Vice President of EBF & Associates and worked at Cargill. Marcia is active in Board service as the Chair of the Gustavus Adolphus Board of Trustees, on the Board of Overseers of the Carlson School of Management, and member of the Constellation Fund board.

Deling Chen – Junior Achievement North Student, Sock Munch Founder

Deling is an inspiring and motivated Sophomore at St. Paul Academy. She enjoys problem solving and developing creative approaches to make the world a better place. As a part of the Junior Achievement North program LaunchU!, Deling took her business idea and made it a reality. She started Sock Munch in 2020 and designed a plush, washable duck named Munch that keeps socks safe in the laundry. In 2022, Deling was the winner of the Youth Division of the prestigious MN Cup competition.