With Aloha from Burgandie Onekea

16 October 2026

Dear JA Friends,

As November approaches, I’ve been thinking about how a new chapter can bring you back to where your story began. I will be returning home to Hawaiʻi, where I’ll begin serving as President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Hawaiʻi on November 1.

Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, I carry the aloha, values, and lessons of the community that raised me into everything I do. The opportunity to bring my experiences home and serve Hawaiʻi’s young people through a mission I believe in so deeply is both humbling and incredibly meaningful.

It is hard to put into words how much my time with Junior Achievement of Southern California, serving Orange County, the Inland Empire, and Kern County, has meant to me. Together, we’ve grown our reach, built strong teams and community partnerships, and opened up new possibilities for students. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and even more grateful for the people who made it possible: our staff, board members, educators, volunteers, donors, partners, and friends who became ʻohana.

You trusted me and built alongside me to serve our communities with JA experiential learning experiences that have impacted thousands of young people. You will always hold a special place in my heart and be part of my journey. I’m so grateful our JA ʻohana will keep us connected.

OC staff - Junior Achievement of Southern California — OC staff

I’m grateful to know our regions will be in good hands as I begin this next chapter. Destiny Lara will serve as Interim Executive Director for Orange County, and Sandy Mitchell will serve as Interim Executive Director for the Inland Empire. Also continuing to serve on the OC & IE leadership team is Rebecca Theranciel, Senior Development Manager, our lead development officer.

I’ve had the privilege of working alongside this leadership team and have seen firsthand their leadership, dedication to our students, our mission, and the communities we serve. I’m confident in their leadership and excited to see them continue building on what we’ve created together.

Please join me in welcoming Destiny & Sandy to their new interim roles and supporting them along the way.

Junior Achievement has become much more than an organization I work for. I believe in what happens when young people have access to experiences, mentors, and opportunities that help them see their potential and imagine what they can become. That belief has shaped my work here, and I’ll carry it with me to Hawaiʻi.

I’m not saying goodbye to JA. I’m simply beginning a new chapter of service. Thank you for your genuine friendship, your trust, and the many ways you’ve shown up for me, the youth in our communities, and for one another. You’ve become part of my story and my ʻohana, and I’ll carry that with me as I cheer on JA Orange County & the Inland Empire from across the ocean!

Please keep in touch! My new email is burgandie@jahawaii.org, and my cell stays the same: 808-421-8189.

I’d love to stay connected!