Staff | Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore

JA of the Eastern Shore Staff

Jayme L. Hayes – President

Jayme Hayes has been the President of Junior Achievement, since February 2007. Jayme truly believes that the root of many issues in our world are due to those who are not given opportunity and a way to succeed. She is passionate about helping others and her community to create a better future. She hopes to enjoy that future as much as possible with her husband and two little girls.

Heather Dennis – Program Director

(410) 742-8112 x202
heather.dennis@ja.org

Heather Dennis has been with Junior Achievement since 2013. Heather graduated from Salisbury University with an Elementary Education degree. She taught 1st and 2nd grade in both Montgomery and Wicomico Counties during her teaching career. Her love for Junior Achievement comes from when she had JA as part of her classroom and she now gets to help bring programs to schools here on the Eastern Shore as our Program Director.

Kate Bleile – Operations Manager

(410) 742-8112 x201
kate.bleile@ja.org

Kate Bleile has been with Junior Achievement since 2016, beginning as a program coordinator before moving to the position of community outreach coordinator. After spending eight years a program director at the local YMCA, Kate was searching for a way to strengthen our community through youth programs. When she heard about Junior Achievement and its impact on the community she knew she had found the perfect fit. With a passion for giving back, Kate helps connect businesses and volunteers with JA. Outside of JA, she serves on the board of directors for Wyatt's Warriors Foundation. She resides in Salisbury, MD with her husband and two children.

Mary Holden – Program Coordinator

(410) 742-8112 x200
mary.holden@ja.org

Mary Holden joined Junior Achievement July 2018, becoming the Program Coordinator. She is a recent graduate from Salisbury University where she studied Communication Arts and Sociology. At Salisbury University Mary discovered her passion for non-profit work while working with the campus Relay For Life. Now, Mary is growing community involvement in the classroom by finding volunteers for each Junior Achievement program! Mary has grown to love her new home on the Eastern Shore, originally from Charles County, she enjoys her time on the beach and the various activities in Downtown Salisbury. When the leaves start to turn and fall Mary enjoys to stay indoors bake and watch movies.

Lisa Thornton – Development Manager

(410) 742-8112 x203
lisa.thornton@ja.org

Lisa Thornton joined the Junior Achievement team in August 2018 as Development Manager. After obtaining an Associate's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and working in that field for almost 5 years, Lisa decided she wasn't able to be as creative as she wanted. Lisa went back and got a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing from Wilmington University. After 5 years in the Marketing Agency environment, she decided she wanted to focus her efforts on just one organization, as opposed to many. Her desire to focus on a single organization paired with a desire to positively impact the lives of youth lead her to a career with Junior Achievement. Lisa lives in Dagsboro, DE with her husband, Dan, and their four fur babies.

"Junior Achievement has given me a sense of what adults go through with budget issues."

-Junior Achievement Student
"Junior Achievement reinforced concepts for me to remember later in life."

-Junior Achievement Student
"I thought the experience was amazing. The presentation was unlike anything I've seen."

-Junior Achievement Student
"I liked how the Junior Achievement volunteer explained his job to us."

-Junior Achievement Student