Signet Bank continues to support Junior Achievement Latvia's Leadership Program

The educational organization Junior Achievement Latvia (JA Latvia) has completed the selection process for its Leadership Program, which this year will include 15 of Latvia’s most ambitious young people. On February 2, the program participants met in person for their first master class, beginning an intensive training cycle in which they will develop leadership skills and work on socially significant projects under the guidance of experienced business mentors.

This year’s participants were selected through fierce competition, evaluating not only their academic achievements and social activities, but also their determination, communication skills, and willingness to improve. The program is based on the desire to prepare the younger generation to take on leading roles in business, government, and creative industries in the future.

Our goal is not only to provide theoretical knowledge about leadership. We create an environment where young people can start to have a practical impact on society and solve real problems today. These 15 young people have proven that they have the perseverance and passion to become the driving force behind change in Latvia,

says Jānis Krievāns, head of Junior Achievement Latvia.

This year, participants in the leadership program represent a wide range of Latvian regions and educational institutions. The program participants are: Adriana Ivaņinoka (Ogre Technical School), Anete Petrēvica (Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium), Daniella Vaidere (Daugavpils Science Secondary School), Dominiks Čudars (Jelgava State Gymnasium), Ernests Andrejs Lauciņš (Riga State Gymnasium No. 2), Gerda Griezne (Riga State Gymnasium No. 2), Henriks Balodis (Ventspils Secondary School No. 4), Jeļizaveta Safonova (Riga French Lyceum), Katrīna Ozola (Limbaži Secondary School), Marks Strogonovs (Riga Teika Secondary School), Marta Paula Gulbe (Riga Āgenskalns State Gymnasium), Marta Teicāne (Rēzekne State Gymnasium No. 1), Roberts Lejnieks (Jelgava Technical School), Roberts Medejsis (Smiltene Secondary School) and Timurs Dobrovoļskis (Riga State Gymnasium No. 1).

Concern for the environment and society are not separate concepts for us – they begin with people and education. For 12 years, we have been supporters of Junior Achievement Latvia’s Leadership Program because we believe that knowledgeable, responsible, and thoughtful young people are the foundation for a sustainable future for Latvia. We are truly delighted to have the opportunity to provide young people with knowledge and experience that cannot be gained elsewhere. This program is unique, and we hope that, looking back on this event, participants will be able to say that this is where the cornerstone of their professional career was laid. The leadership program teaches them to be bold, persistent, and believe in their ideas, because that is how future leaders are born,

emphasizes Guntars Kokorevičs, Chairman of the Board of CleanR Group.

Being part of the Leaders Program mentor team has been both an honor and a personal gain for me – these young people inspire with their curiosity and determination. By supporting such initiatives, Signet Bank is investing in what matters most – Latvia’s future and the people who will shape its economy, business environment and society. The young leaders we meet in this program are already demonstrating their ability to think strategically, work in a team, and solve complex tasks – skills that will be even more valuable in the future than they are today,

emphasizes Ineta Done, member of the board of Signet Bank.

Latvia’s future competitiveness will depend directly on how purposefully we invest in the leaders of the next generation today. It is important for me to see that young people are given the opportunity to develop their thinking, skills, and courage to act. This program helps them recognize their strengths early on and develop skills that will be useful when facing challenges,

emphasizes Roberts Samtiņš, head of the AJ Power group of companies.

During the academic year, young people will develop projects in various fields – from interactive games for seniors and financial literacy conferences for young people to artificial intelligence tools in education and digital water management solutions. They will be supported by a team of mentors, including Filips Lastovskis, Edgars Kots, Guntars Kokorevičs, Māris Mančinskis, Irīna Pīgozne, Ineta Done, Ģirts Rungainis, Mārtiņš Bičevskis, Roberts Samtiņš, and other industry leaders. The training will conclude at the end of the summer with an intensive camp called “Junior Achievement Unlocked.”

The Junior Achievement Latvia Leadership Program is implemented in cooperation with CleanR Group, Signet Bank, AJ Power, Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, and Riga Coaching School.

More about the Leadership Program: https://jalatvia.lv/lideru_programma