At Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City, we’re grateful for dedicated partners like Black & Veatch, whose commitment to empowering students helps shape the future of young learners. Whether they’re volunteering in JA BizTown, presented by CommunityAmerica Credit Union, or rallying their team for the annual Play4JA Bowl-a-Thon, Black & Veatch professionals go above and beyond to make a lasting impact.
To learn more about their passion for preparing the next generation for success, we caught up with Karen Temple, JAKC Board Member and Finance Resources Director at Black & Veatch. We also spoke with two BV professionals, Starla Titus and Kevin O’Connor, who play key roles in organizing their Bowl-a-Thon fundraiser and volunteer efforts at JA BizTown.
Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders
As an employee-owned organization, Black & Veatch’s culture is deeply rooted in its mission: Building a World of Difference. For Karen, this mission extends to the community by investing in the future workforce.
“We strive to live out our mission and values through community partnerships and by ‘building’ the talent of the future to serve STEM professions like we need at Black & Veatch,” Karen explains.
One way they do this is through JA BizTown, where Black & Veatch professionals step away from their daily work to mentor students as they navigate a day in a simulated economy.
“JA BizTown offers our professionals an opportunity to step away from a workday and impact Kansas City’s youth. It’s a glimpse into the future talent and what we can do to inspire them to chase dreams.”
Karen Temple volunteering at JA BizTown presented by CommunityAmerica Credit Union.
Kevin O’Connor volunteering at JA BizTown presented by CommunityAmerica Credit Union.
Kevin O’Connor, who organizes JA BizTown volunteer days for Black & Veatch, remembers experiencing Exchange City when he was a student: “You don’t remember many days from elementary school, but I specifically remember that day at Exchange City. It was a big deal. A day at JA BizTown is the same, it’s a big day for these kids.”
For him, the joy of volunteering comes from watching students step into their roles. “They get to be like adults for a day, and they love it. I think that’s why I remembered it so much as a kid—you feel like a big shot for the day.”
Starla, another champion of JAKC, sees firsthand how hands-on experiences make financial literacy fun and engaging.
“Learning about personal finance can be a bit dry, but JA BizTown makes it exciting. Kids realize that if they get a high-paying job or save their money, they can buy more popcorn or snacks with their paycheck. It really puts things into perspective for them.”
Beyond the students, JA BizTown is also a rewarding experience for volunteers. “It’s a great teambuilding opportunity,” Kevin says. “It gets you out of the office and allows you to work with your peers in a different way.”
“We get to be an extra voice of encouragement for students,” Starla adds. “Sometimes, all they need is someone other than a teacher or parent to help guide them.”
Teamwork, Competition, and Giving Back
In addition to volunteering, Black & Veatch fuels JAKC’s mission through their Play4JA Bowl-a-Thon, an organization-wide fundraiser that has become one of their most anticipated events each year.
Black & Veatch’s team panorama photo has quickly become a tradition at the Play4JA Bowl-a-Thon.
“It’s BV’s largest teambuilder,” Karen shares. “It’s a great way to promote community, teamwork, and friendly competition.” Employees get creative with fundraising, organizing raffles for travel packages, gift baskets, custom-made cookies, and even car washes to reach their goal.
During last year’s event, Black & Veatch set an ambitious goal to raise $50,000. They didn’t just meet it, they surpassed it, raising an incredible $58,000. “It was energizing to see how many people came together around this common goal,” Karen said. “To surpass it was just awesome.”
Starla (middle) at last year’s Play4JA Bowl-a-Thon.
Starla and Kevin have been organizing the event for years and they play a key role in bringing employees together for the cause. They emphasize how easy it is to make a difference, plus it brings a sense of team building and camaraderie to the whole company.
Making a Lasting Impact
When asked about the lasting impact of Black & Veatch’s partnership with JAKC, Karen reflects on the power of investing in young minds.
“Our hope is that our fundraising efforts allow more students to have an elevated awareness of chasing their dreams and leading fulfilling careers in the paths they choose. We try to model that in our interactions at JA BizTown.”
But the impact goes both ways, she explains. “The students have had a profound impact on BV professionals as well, creating awareness of needs in our community and gratitude for the opportunities we’ve been given.”
Through mentorship, hands-on learning, community engagement, and impactful fundraising, Black & Veatch is shaping the leaders of tomorrow—one student at a time.
Join the JAKC Community
Inspired by Black & Veatch’s commitment to empowering students? Your organization can get involved too!
Volunteer – Engage with students through hands-on learning experiences like JA BizTown and 3DE, helping them build essential life and career skills.
Host a Play4JA Event – Bring your team together for a fun and impactful fundraising experience.
Support JA’s Mission – Invest in the next generation of Kansas City’s workforce through donations, sponsorships, and partnerships.
Supporter Spotlight: Black & Veatch
Making an Impact Beyond the Workplace
At Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City, we’re grateful for dedicated partners like Black & Veatch, whose commitment to empowering students helps shape the future of young learners. Whether they’re volunteering in JA BizTown, presented by CommunityAmerica Credit Union, or rallying their team for the annual Play4JA Bowl-a-Thon, Black & Veatch professionals go above and beyond to make a lasting impact.
To learn more about their passion for preparing the next generation for success, we caught up with Karen Temple, JAKC Board Member and Finance Resources Director at Black & Veatch. We also spoke with two BV professionals, Starla Titus and Kevin O’Connor, who play key roles in organizing their Bowl-a-Thon fundraiser and volunteer efforts at JA BizTown.
Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders
As an employee-owned organization, Black & Veatch’s culture is deeply rooted in its mission: Building a World of Difference. For Karen, this mission extends to the community by investing in the future workforce.
“We strive to live out our mission and values through community partnerships and by ‘building’ the talent of the future to serve STEM professions like we need at Black & Veatch,” Karen explains.
One way they do this is through JA BizTown, where Black & Veatch professionals step away from their daily work to mentor students as they navigate a day in a simulated economy.
“JA BizTown offers our professionals an opportunity to step away from a workday and impact Kansas City’s youth. It’s a glimpse into the future talent and what we can do to inspire them to chase dreams.”
Kevin O’Connor, who organizes JA BizTown volunteer days for Black & Veatch, remembers experiencing Exchange City when he was a student: “You don’t remember many days from elementary school, but I specifically remember that day at Exchange City. It was a big deal. A day at JA BizTown is the same, it’s a big day for these kids.”
For him, the joy of volunteering comes from watching students step into their roles. “They get to be like adults for a day, and they love it. I think that’s why I remembered it so much as a kid—you feel like a big shot for the day.”
Starla, another champion of JAKC, sees firsthand how hands-on experiences make financial literacy fun and engaging.
“Learning about personal finance can be a bit dry, but JA BizTown makes it exciting. Kids realize that if they get a high-paying job or save their money, they can buy more popcorn or snacks with their paycheck. It really puts things into perspective for them.”
Beyond the students, JA BizTown is also a rewarding experience for volunteers. “It’s a great teambuilding opportunity,” Kevin says. “It gets you out of the office and allows you to work with your peers in a different way.”
“We get to be an extra voice of encouragement for students,” Starla adds. “Sometimes, all they need is someone other than a teacher or parent to help guide them.”
Teamwork, Competition, and Giving Back
In addition to volunteering, Black & Veatch fuels JAKC’s mission through their Play4JA Bowl-a-Thon, an organization-wide fundraiser that has become one of their most anticipated events each year.
“It’s BV’s largest teambuilder,” Karen shares. “It’s a great way to promote community, teamwork, and friendly competition.” Employees get creative with fundraising, organizing raffles for travel packages, gift baskets, custom-made cookies, and even car washes to reach their goal.
During last year’s event, Black & Veatch set an ambitious goal to raise $50,000. They didn’t just meet it, they surpassed it, raising an incredible $58,000. “It was energizing to see how many people came together around this common goal,” Karen said. “To surpass it was just awesome.”
Starla and Kevin have been organizing the event for years and they play a key role in bringing employees together for the cause. They emphasize how easy it is to make a difference, plus it brings a sense of team building and camaraderie to the whole company.
Making a Lasting Impact
When asked about the lasting impact of Black & Veatch’s partnership with JAKC, Karen reflects on the power of investing in young minds.
“Our hope is that our fundraising efforts allow more students to have an elevated awareness of chasing their dreams and leading fulfilling careers in the paths they choose. We try to model that in our interactions at JA BizTown.”
But the impact goes both ways, she explains. “The students have had a profound impact on BV professionals as well, creating awareness of needs in our community and gratitude for the opportunities we’ve been given.”
Through mentorship, hands-on learning, community engagement, and impactful fundraising, Black & Veatch is shaping the leaders of tomorrow—one student at a time.
Join the JAKC Community
Inspired by Black & Veatch’s commitment to empowering students? Your organization can get involved too!
Learn more at jagkc.org.
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