Who We Are
Junior Achievement of the Philippines
Junior Achievement (JA) was introduced in the Philippines in 1967, bringing to the country a globally recognized educational movement focused on preparing young people for success in work and life. In 1969, the Junior Achievement of the Philippines, Inc. (JAPI) was formally organized as a non-stock, non-profit organization to administer and implement JA programs nationwide. Over the decades, JA Philippines has built strong partnerships with leading multinational corporations, local businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies to deliver programs in entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy.
Today, the organization operates as Junior Achievement of the Philippines – JA Learning Institute, Inc. (JALI), strengthening its commitment to equipping Filipino youth with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to thrive in a rapidly changing economy. Through innovative learning experiences, volunteer engagement, digital platforms, and strategic collaborations, JALI continues to expand the reach and impact of JA programs across the country. To date, JA has empowered more than 500,000 students nationwide through direct program implementation and reaches approximately 2 million individuals annually across its various learning, communication, and digital platforms. Through these efforts, JALI continues to develop future entrepreneurs, financially capable individuals, and work-ready young Filipinos.
Mission
Inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.
Vision
JA Philippines will develop future business leaders.
In partnership with educational institutions, inspiring and equipping students to understand business, economics and entrepreneurship.
Awards and Recognitions
Certifications
CPD Certification
JA Philippines Learning Institute, Inc. is an accredited CPD Provider of the Professional Regulation Commission's CPD Council for Professional Teachers. Teachers who join our trainings earn official Continuing Professional Development units under R.A. 10912.
Legal Registration
Corporate Registration
JA Philippines operates as JA Philippines Learning Institute, Inc., an organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines.
Corporate Partners
Krishna C. Alejandrino
Dr. Krishna C. Alejandrino is a distinguished Filipino business educator, corporate social responsibility strategist, academic, and nonprofit executive whose work has contributed significantly to youth development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness in the Philippines.
He is best known for his longstanding leadership as Executive Director of Junior Achievement Philippines (JA Philippines), a member of JA Worldwide—one of the world’s largest organizations dedicated to preparing young people for employment and entrepreneurship. Under his direction, JA Philippines developed into a nationally recognized organization with programs reaching learners, educators, schools, and communities throughout Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Through his leadership, JA Philippines has established strategic partnerships with government institutions, educational organizations, and leading local and multinational companies. These collaborations have enabled the implementation of large-scale programs focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, work readiness, science and technology, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital skills. His work has helped create meaningful opportunities for young people, teachers, and employee volunteers while strengthening the role of corporate social responsibility in education and community development. Dr. Alejandrino also played an instrumental role in institutionalizing the Registered Marketing Professional (RMP) and Registered Business Professional (RBP) certification programs. These professional credentials help bridge academic learning and industry expectations by assessing and recognizing the competencies of students, graduates, educators, and aspiring professionals. Through these initiatives, he has contributed to developing more structured pathways for professional recognition, employability, and lifelong learning.
He likewise championed the Accredited Financial Literacy Training Certification Program, which strengthened the financial education capabilities of thousands of Filipino teachers. The initiative equipped educators with practical knowledge and teaching strategies that they could apply in the classroom, extending the program’s impact to hundreds of thousands of students. Under his leadership, this work received multiple Bronze Stevie Awards for excellence in corporate social responsibility and youth financial literacy.
An accomplished educator and academic leader, Dr. Alejandrino graduated Cum Laude from the University of Santo Tomas in 2003. He later earned his Master’s Degree in Marketing from the same university, with a strong focus on market research. He completed his Doctor in Business Administration at San Beda University and holds the professional designation of Chartered Business Administrator from the Chartered Association of Business Administrators in Canada.
Beyond his executive responsibilities, Dr. Alejandrino has contributed to the advancement of business and marketing education through teaching, research, professional standards, and institutional collaboration. He has published research in international academic journals and has been involved in initiatives that promote quality, relevance, and innovation in business education. He has also received recognition as a Most Outstanding Faculty Member and was conferred the designation of Associate Fellow Business Educator.
His contributions have earned recognition from professional associations, educational institutions, diplomatic bodies, and international organizations. Among his honors are the Youth Development Award, Marketing Adviser of the Year, Letran’s Grandes Figuras Award, and recognition from the United States Embassy for his contributions to corporate social responsibility and youth development. In 2025, Dr. Alejandrino made history as the first Filipino to receive JA Worldwide’s prestigious Jonas Prising Lifetime Achievement Award. Presented during the JA Global Leadership Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the award is the highest individual honor within the global JA network. It recognized his decades-long commitment to expanding educational opportunities, building sustainable partnerships, and transforming the lives of young people through relevant and accessible learning programs.
Dr. Alejandrino also contributes to the international JA network as a member of the JA Champions research and innovation council under the JA Institute. He was selected to participate in JA Worldwide’s LEAD Global Leadership Program, further reflecting his role in advancing innovation, organizational leadership, and youth economic empowerment on both national and global platforms.
Throughout his career, Dr. Alejandrino has remained committed to the belief that education must prepare young people not only to succeed professionally but also to become responsible, innovative, and socially conscious leaders. His leadership continues to strengthen the connection between education, industry, government, and civil society—creating lasting opportunities for Filipino youth and contributing to a more inclusive and future-ready Philippines.
Board of Trustees
Paula Patrice M. Dela Cruz
Passionate. Dedicated. Charismatic.
Paula is a proud JA alumna who participated in the JA Company of the Year Competition in 2016. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, major in Marketing Management, from the University of Santo Tomas, where she received the Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award at the university level and the Outstanding Achievement Award at the college level. Her recognitions also include the Outstanding JA Philippines Advocacy Leader Award, and she was selected as a JA Fellow. She is currently pursuing the Public Leadership Credential at Harvard University.
Her commitment to education and community development began through social entrepreneurship. She developed business plans in agriculture, food, and garments, winning six competitions in strategic business planning and brand development while representing her university and the Philippines.
Her international engagements include serving as a Youth Ambassador and Philippine representative for Young Enterprise in Amsterdam in 2015, participating as the country’s delegate to Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business in Boston that same year, and representing the Philippines at the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations in 2017. She was also recognized by the University of the Philippines as the Venture Grand Champion in Social Entrepreneurship.
Through her work at JA Philippines, Paula has collaborated with schools, corporate partners, and volunteers to advance youth empowerment. Her program portfolio includes the Cha-Ching Financial Literacy Program, JA Company of the Year Competition, JA Careers with a Purpose, JA It’s My Business Program, and FedEx International Trade Challenge. These initiatives reflect her commitment to Junior Achievement’s three pillars: work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.
Paula believes that people rise by lifting others. Her leadership and advocacy focus on expanding access to meaningful learning opportunities and empowering young people to build their confidence, pursue their aspirations, and contribute to their communities.
Michelle A. Monteroso
Michelle Monteroso is a proud alumna of AMA Computer Learning Center (ACLC) in Naga City, Camarines Sur, where she completed her studies in Business and Office Administration in 2016. Driven by her commitment to continuous professional development, she further pursued her education at Arellano University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, major in Financial Management, in June 2024.
Michelle began her professional journey with JA Philippines in October 2016 as an Accounting and Administrative Officer. Since then, she has played an integral role in managing the organization’s financial and administrative operations, including budget monitoring, cash request processing, liquidation reviews, accounts receivable and payable management, invoicing, expense verification, and payroll administration.
Currently serving as the Accounting Department Head, Michelle oversees the organization’s accounting functions and supports the implementation of financial controls, administrative procedures, and operational processes to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and accountability.
With her years of dedicated service, Michelle remains committed to professional growth, operational excellence, and responsible financial management. Beyond her responsibilities, she takes pride in contributing to JA Philippines’ mission of empowering young people with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the global economy.
Department Heads
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Tovi Luna
Accounts Lead
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Andrea Robles
Elementary Programs Lead
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Jilliane Chan
High School Programs Lead
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Nikolai Quetua
Brand and Business Development Manager
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Kim Hondante
Logistics Head
Advisory
DepEd Advisory Board
STEM Advisory Lead
Dr. Leslie Anne L. Yasis
JA Advisory Board for STEM Lead
An environmental and chemical engineer with a PhD from HKUST and a BS in Chemical Engineering from UP Diliman, Leslie develops water, sanitation, and circular economy technologies and has led technical due diligence for the EU–UNDP EU-GEPP project. She advises governments, funders, and investors across Asia-Pacific on de-risking sustainability projects.
JA PH Legal Head
Atty. John Ronald Ramos
Governance
JA Research Council
Academic leaders and researchers guiding the evidence behind JA Philippines programs — from curriculum design to impact measurement.
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Dr. Anna Liza P. Aterrado
Vice Dean, College of Business Administration and Accountancy · De La Salle University–Dasmariñas
Researcher in strategic and digital marketing, consumer behavior, and marketing analytics. She publishes on digital engagement and service quality, and leads curriculum and quality assurance work across PAASCU, ISO 21001, and AUN-QA accreditation.
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Dr. Divina M. Edralin
Vice President for Research and Innovation · San Beda University
A management educator with 45 years of teaching, she directs San Beda's Research and Development Center and was Vice Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at De La Salle's RVR College of Business. Named the Philippines' most outstanding management educator by the PETRON Foundation, she has written books on entrepreneurship, business research, and HRM, and chairs PMAP's Research Ethics Board.
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Dr. Donn Enrique L. Moreno
Dean, Enrique T. Yuchengco School of Business · Mapúa University
A Certified Innovation Management Professional leading transnational and master's business programs. Named Best Professor in Business Administration by CMO Asia, he publishes and reviews for ACM and IEEE conferences and lectures on strategic marketing across Asia and Latin America.
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Dr. Jean Paolo G. Lacap
Vice President for Research, Extension and Quality Assurance · City College of Angeles
A member of the National Research Council of the Philippines with 80+ Scopus and Web of Science publications, and one of only six WarpPLS experts worldwide. He sits on the editorial advisory board of Young Consumers and has given 230+ talks on research and statistics.
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Dr. Michael Bigol Pasco
Director of Livestock Technical Support · CJ Philippines, Inc.
A senior executive, academic, and veterinarian with 27+ years in animal nutrition, livestock production, and business development, previously with Neovia/ADM and Cargill. He is a Professor in San Beda University's DBA program, a De La Salle dissertation panelist, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Business Research and Development.
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Dr. Timothy Hofilena Zarco
Assistant Professor · University of the Philippines Virata School of Business
A social psychologist and business educator working at the intersection of organizational behavior, consumer psychology, and leadership. Former chair of UP's Business Administration Department, he consults and conducts market research for firms across banking, health, and food, and publishes in the Philippine Management Review.
Expertise
Learning and Development Consultants
Practitioners who shape how JA Philippines programs are designed and delivered — so learning transfers beyond the session.
Arlynne Roa-Awayan
Learning Programs Designer
Over 20 years across higher education, organizational development, and regional EdTech, designing learning that produces measurable behavior change rather than mere program completion. She led customer success and onboarding at a global learning platform for nearly nine years, taught at De La Salle University–Dasmariñas for 12, and headed its e-learning strategy for five. A UP Master of Technology Management and board-certified educator, she now teaches at the Asia Pacific College Graduate School of Management.
Timothy James Roa
Learning Solutions Consultant
Over seven years in business development, account management, and partnership building across SaaS, fintech, banking, and real estate — full sales cycles, alliances with technology and solution vendors, and ROI-driven proposals that map directly to scaling JA's partner relationships. Earlier roles at HSBC and CIS Bayad Center covered financial needs analysis, regulatory compliance, and nationwide corporate accounts. He holds a BS in Business Administration (Marketing) from Jose Rizal University.
Emilie Nolledo-Tan
Business Strategy & Educator Development Consultant
A business strategist, educator, and entrepreneur with an MBA and three decades across IT, banking, and education — culminating as Vice President of Citibank's Strategy & Execution group, where she received the Citi Global Leadership Award. She went on to teach at St. Scholastica's College Manila, De La Salle University, and the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, earning the Registered Business Educator Award among other recognitions. She now leads Blue Biz Learning, developing teachers, students, and entrepreneurs through practical, future-ready learning programs.
Creative Partner
Likhaya Agency
Our Team
Finance and Admin
- Mary Joy G. Simalang
- Jonathan P. Marcaida
- Nerissa L. Domingo
- Miguel Gabriel, Jr.
- Divina Ramos
- Nelda O. Torres
Legal
- Atty. Roland Ramos
- Atty. Malou Cordero
- Atty. Rizza Namuag
Logistics
- Rene Jurilla Jr.
- Jose Gabriel Marcelino
- Terry Balosca
- Benedict Pineda
- John Erickson Santos
Public Relations
- Julianne Mae Ko
Creative
- Jasmine Cruz
- Stele Roque
Operations
- Martina Serilla
- Noel Adriano
- Joey Romero
- Samantha Buenviaje
- Tovi Marie Luna
- Angelo Louis Suguitan
- Kyle Wendy Pascol
- Louise Villalon
- Glenn Banagua
- Mary Christ Pascua
- Catherine Espinosa
- Stele Roque
