Lee Lewis

When asked to describe the most influential person in his career, Lee Lewis said “there are over 9,000.” That’s a lot of inspiration from a lot of people, but when you are the president and chief staff officer with more than 9,000 students at Junior Achievement of Rhode Island (JARI), the number of inspiring individuals makes perfect sense.
Lewis may be one of the youngest presidents of the Junior Achievement Worldwide organization, but his stewardship has paid off with the JA Summit Award in 2007, given because programs grew 26 percent in a year and JARI had a larger than expected surplus.
Lewis has been at JARI since 1998, starting in key positions within the marketing department before eventually being promoted to president and chief staff officer. He has excelled in fundraising, program development and organizational leadership and continues to generate new and different approaches for an organization that focuses on youth betterment.
For example, foundation funding has increased 1,000 percent in the last five years. He spearheaded the JARI Job Shadow Program and developed strategic relationships with the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association, as well as the Urban League of Rhode Island.
Lewis also handles all public relations, which resulted in 2.1 million media impressions for JARI in the Rhode Island market last year.
While his hard work has yielded great benefits to JARI, it is likely that if the 9,000 young people who participate in its programs were to be asked the most influential person in their lives were, many would choose Lee Lewis. •

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