Oklahoma City Junior Achievement Volunteer Receives Top National Honor

[Oklahoma City, OK] — Junior Achievement of Oklahoma (JA) announced that Mark Mote, Assurance Partner at EY in Edmond, OK, has been chosen from among more than 150-thousand U.S. volunteers as one of twelve recipients of the organization’s most prestigious national award for volunteerism, the Gold Leadership Award.  

“Being recognized for such a prestigious award is both an incredible honor and humbling at the same time.” Said Mark Mote, Assurance Partner at EY. “Junior Achievement has become a very important part of my personal and professional life. I truly believe that it is a great organization that inspires our younger generation to achieve financial literacy and workforce readiness.”

Junior Achievement’s Gold Leadership Award honors volunteer excellence, presented in recognition of leadership in supporting and expanding JA’s student impact, resources, operational excellence and sustainability. The Gold Leadership Awards honor the recipients’ JA volunteer service during the 2023-24 school year. 

“Our local business community’s support of JA is critical to achieving our mission, to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in the global economy,” said Shannan Beeler, President of Junior Achievement of Oklahoma. “Mark Mote exemplifies JA’s core values. He leads with integrity, passion and a deep belief in the power of education. In a very real way, he helps Oklahoma City-area JA students get the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices.” 

For more than a decade, Mote has been a dedicated volunteer with JA, contributing in various capacities from mentoring students at JA Finance Park to serving as a member of the JA Board of Directors, including multiple years as the OKC and State Board Chair. His support and leadership throughout the years has been instrumental in JA’s growth in the Oklahoma City area and in the completion of the JA Experiential Learning Center, a $7 million campaign.

Junior Achievement’s entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness programs are delivered nationwide—typically in classrooms during the school day, by volunteer role models from the local business community.  

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"I saw the passion in their learning, & how it changed their lives & thinking of the world around them. I love JA!!!"

Diane Dang, Assistant Principal

"Before JA Finance Park this stuff seemed impossible. Now it (financial independence) is in reach."

Finance Park Student

"[The benefit of participating was] knowing I’m providing a better understanding of what adult life will be like."

JA Finance Park Volunteer

"JA provided a solid foundation in leadership, economics and entrepreneurship as tools to achieve my goals."

Jay Calhoun, JA Alumni & JA Tulsa Board Member

"Junior Achievement taught me that everyone can be successful if you really work hard."

JA Student

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