JAG Missouri is excited to announce the addition of new members to its Board of Directors. These individuals bring diverse expertise, leadership, and a deep passion for empowering young people to succeed in their education and careers. The new members will work alongside the Board to support JAG Missouri’s mission of helping students achieve a brighter future.

The newly appointed Board members are:

• Michael Eaton, Executive Director, Missouri Association of Manufacturers
  A seasoned executive director with extensive experience in marketing, creative direction, and strategic leadership, Michael has successfully contributed to both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, and product design. His passion for community engagement, combined with his expertise in relationship-building and driving organizational success, will be a tremendous asset to JAG-Missouri’s mission.
• Keith Kato, Welfare and Self Reliance Manager, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
  Keith brings extensive expertise with a strong background in self-reliance programs, disaster response, and humanitarian efforts. These combined with his dedication to community service through volunteer roles and involvement in JAG-Missouri events, Keith will bring valuable leadership and perspective to the organization’s mission.
• Elaine Libla
  With a distinguished career in banking and nonprofit leadership, including serving as Executive Director of The MASTERS, Elaine brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to community service. Her dedication to making a positive impact aligns perfectly with JAG-Missouri’s mission to support youth success across the state.

“We are excited to welcome these distinguished individuals to our Board of Directors,” said Shantra Tucker, Executive Director of JAG Missouri. “Their expertise and diverse perspectives will play a pivotal role in broadening our impact and enhancing the success of our students. With their guidance, we are confident that JAG Missouri will continue to thrive and achieve even greater accomplishments in the future.”

JAG Missouri has made remarkable progress in its mission to prepare students for post-graduation success. With over 5,000 students served in 115 programs across the state, JAG Missouri has consistently achieved outstanding results, including:

• 99% graduation rate
• 83% positive outcome rate (a combination of students employed, continuing education, or serving in the military)
• 70% employment rate
• 66% further education rate

These impressive results demonstrate the effectiveness of JAG Missouri’s model, which focuses on personalized support, career readiness, and life skills training for students who face significant barriers to graduation and employment. The addition of these new Board members will enhance JAG Missouri’s ability to create more opportunities for students and help the organization continue to grow its impact across the state.

“We are deeply grateful to have such dedicated leaders join our Board,” added Tucker. “Their guidance and support will help us continue to develop innovative programs and strengthen our partnerships with local businesses, schools, and community organizations, further advancing our mission of making a difference in the lives of Missouri’s students.”