Leigh Mansberg, JA Memphis

Leigh Mansberg’s journey into education and leadership was sparked by her curiosity about systems and operations, which began when she was an English teacher. With over 25 years of experience, Leigh has held roles ranging from COO of Epicenter to the President and CEO of Junior Achievement (JA) of Memphis and the Mid-South. Through JA, Leigh is empowering the next generation of leaders by equipping them with essential skills in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and workforce readiness.

On Episode #2 of Just Bluffin’, Leigh shared how JA is transforming young lives across Memphis and beyond.

Leigh Mansberg’s path to leading Junior Achievement (JA) of Memphis is anything but traditional. Starting her career as an English teacher, Leigh’s interest in systems led her to roles in business operations and nonprofit leadership. She worked at St. Mary’s Episcopal School, Bridge Capital, and as COO of Epicenter, helping build businesses for women and minorities. But it wasn’t until she joined JA that she found her true calling. As she reflects, “I wanted to create a business school for little bitties.” Leigh became JA’s first educator-led CEO, quickly stepping into a leadership role.

As CEO, Leigh oversees a K-12 program across 25 counties, blending experiential learning with real-world skills. “It’s about getting kids ready for the world—and the world ready for them,” Leigh explains. Through hands-on experiences, her team prepares the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs, focusing on equity, accessibility, and creativity in education.

JA’s approach is far from traditional. One standout program is JA BizTown, where kids run a miniature city after 12 lessons of prep. “It’s not a field trip—it’s a remote classroom,” Leigh says. Students manage businesses, pay loans, elect mayors, and trade goods, all while developing career skills. Another significant initiative is JA Inspire, a career exploration fair where thousands of students experience hands-on learning in career paths like robotics and entrepreneurship. “It’s insane and amazing,” Leigh says, emphasizing that the event removes the “boring” from career fairs. 

What sets Memphis’s JA apart is its alignment with the local business ecosystem. Partnering with the Greater Memphis Chamber, businesses, and economic development organizations, JA ensures students not only learn about careers but also how they can contribute to the real-world economy. “I’m an economic developer,” Leigh says proudly. “We’re showing kids how they can plug into the future economy.”

JA Memphis serves over 25,000 kids each year with the help of 1,250 volunteers, who contribute everything from five-hour shifts in BizTown to quick career coaching. “It takes a village,” Leigh says, highlighting the importance of community support. “Kids can’t become what they can’t see,” Leigh emphasizes, and JA of Memphis is showing students the power of entrepreneurship and workforce readiness, preparing them to be future leaders.

Leigh’s deep connection to Memphis is evident. She fondly recalls participating in the St. Jude Half Marathon, a memorable moment when she handed her medal to a young fan cheering outside the hospital. “That’s it,” she says with a smile. It’s Memphis’s “yes” attitude that inspires Leigh to keep doing her work. “If you have a good idea, there’s always someone to connect you to the right resource,” she notes. Whether it’s through her role at JA or in the community, Leigh embraces the city’s collaborative spirit. She’s excited about building JA’s new space at 516 Tillman, envisioning it as a hub of creativity, opportunity, and community. “This city is full of random moments of humanity, and that’s what makes Memphis special,” Leigh adds. “I’ll fight for this city—it’s my home.”

Leigh’s favorite Memphis memory speaks to her deep love for the community. Reflecting on her time running the St. Jude Half Marathon, she remembers handing her medal to a young fan. “That’s it,” she says. For Leigh, it’s Memphis’s “yes” spirit that continues to inspire her. Her connection to the city drives her every day, fueling her passion for creating positive change in the lives of Memphis children and families.

To listen to our full conversation with Leigh, click here. To listen to all of our conversations with Memphis leaders, subscribe to Just Bluffin’ wherever you get your podcasts. You can learn more about the team behind the mic on our podcast page.