On Thursday, Nov. 2, Junior Achievement of San Diego County held its 29th annual San Diego Business Hall of Fame at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Sponsored by Jack in the Box Foundation, the event raised $316,900 to support Junior Achievement’s mission to impact 81,000 students this year by teaching them how to get a job, start a business and how to manage their money. 
Event co-chairs, Mike Schleyhahn, and Brian Cahill kicked off JA’s signature event for 315 distinguished guests, which featured a dinner, an auction, and an awards presentation for the 2017 Hall of Fame Laureates. Highlights of the gala included inducting Point Loma resident Wendy Gillespie, along with four other visionary leaders, into Junior Achievement’s Business Hall of Fame as Lifetime Laureates. 
This year’s laureates include: Gillespie, Janice Brown, Jack McGrory, Lori and Bill Walton. Junior Achievement honored these leaders for their impact, integrity, leadership and legacy of service.  Also in attendance were past laureates Anne Evans, Ingrid Croce, Joanne Pastula, Laurie McGrath, Mel Katz, Phil Blair, Stephen Williams, Susan Lew, Thomas Page, and William Geppert.
The JA Student Ambassadors hosted the Gala. They greeted the guests, shared their own personal stories on how JA has impacted their lives and introduced the Laureates
“We are so thankful to our supporters, event sponsors, student ambassadors, Lifetime Laureates and volunteers for making the event so successful,” said Marla Black, president and CEO, JA of San Diego County.  “The financial support will prepare our San Diego students for career and financial success and present them with real-life opportunities to connect with our local business community.”