Leadership

Tom Staab – President and CEO – Leadership

Tom Staab oversees Junior Achievement of Chicago, which has a $4.8 million budget and reaches over 200,000 students annually in the 12-county area. Tom started with Junior Achievement of Chicago in March of 1997 and he assumed the role of President and CEO on November 1, 2020.

Derek Ernst – Vice President of Development – Leadership

Derek Ernst has been employed with Junior Achievement of Chicago since 1999 and has served in a variety of capacities, including, Operations Manager, Director of Operations, and since 2005 as Vice President for Western Suburban Operations. In Derek's current role as Vice President of Suburban Operations, he is responsible for managing a 11 county area.

Derek oversees programming in our Western Divison, Will County, DuPage County, Northwest Indiana and our Northern Division.

Ravi Parakkat – Vice President of Digital Transformation – Leadership

An Engineer and an MBA with business and board experience, Ravi is the Vice President of Digital Transformation with Junior Achievement of Chicago helping this impactful non-profit embrace digital to help young people succeed in life.

In a career in consulting spanning over 20 years, 3 continents and several industries notably Financial Service, Energy and Utilities and Manufacturing, Ravi has had the privilege of working with industries and organizations during transformative years. Ravi has successfully built and managed large globally distributed teams to solve complex problems. He has also set up and managed profitable multi-million dollar projects and digital transformation focused consulting businesses.

Ravi was elected in the IL consolidated Municipal elections as a Trustee to the 7-member Oak Park Village Board for a 4-year term in April 2021. In this role he along with his board colleagues set the policy direction and budgetary priorities for the village’s $150 million annual budget. In 2020 in response to the COVID 19 pandemic Ravi started Takeout 25, a platform to bring the community together and help save local restaurants. He currently serves as its Founder and Board President.

Ravi lives in Oak Park, IL with his wife Amy and their two daughters Rowen and Reva.

Maria Ramos – Senior Vice President of Education & Operations – Leadership

Maria Ramos oversees the city metropolitan program outreach and is responsible for 50% of student outreach for Junior Achievement of Chicago. Maria started with Junior Achievement of Chicago as the Latino Outreach Operations Manager in October of 1996.

Maria oversees programming in the City of Chicago and in Suburban and Southern Cook County.

Amy Youngberg – Vice President of Programs – Leadership

Terrance Guthrie – Vice President of Finance & Administration – Leadership

Terrance oversees JA of Chicago's Administration Department along with JA's accounting and finances. Terrance also works closely with JA vendors and the Audit Committee.