Council Welcomes Budding Leaders

A group of excited fourth graders saw millions of dollars at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, heard from Bay Area business leaders and had the opportunity to sit at a board room style table with sweeping views of the bay. Top students from three fourth grade classes at Achieve Academy in Oakland collected their reward for winning the Bay Area Council’s annual art marketing competition. The field trip was organized by the Council in December as part of a business unit to teach the kids about marketing and product development.  Out of three classes, 20 students were chosen based on their artwork, including the top four students whose work was featured as the cover of our 2018 holiday cards.

The students started their day with a trip to the Federal Reserve with a surprise encounter with Federal Reserve President & CEO and Bay Area Council Executive Committee Member Mary Daly. The kids were then shown a presentation in the Historical Currency Theater & Museum as well as a tour of the vault where they could see what happens to money that is put into and taken out of circulation. Following the tour, the students made their way to the law firm JonesDay, where they met one of the partners and member of the Board of Directors, Tim Hoxie and his staff. JonesDay has been a longtime supporter of this event and in addition to providing great snacks and allowing the kids to experience professional life in a high rise building, they also led an engaging discussion on leadership and career development as well as an interactive demonstration on how buildings are bought and sold.

The students ended their trip by heading to Bay Area Council for a special appreciation luncheon with Council staff.  These young leaders’ infectious enthusiasm and eagerness to learn continues to make this event an annual favorite for the Council and participating leaders.