Leadership

Melissa Kilby President & CEO - Leadership

Melissa Kilby brings over two decades of nonprofit leadership experience to her role as President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas. Prior to joining JA, she served as CEO of Girl Up, a United Nations Foundation initiative dedicated to empowering young women globally. During her 13-year tenure, Melissa expanded the organization to reach more than 345,000 girl leaders across 155 countries and all 50 U.S. states, raising over $50 million to support leadership programs and UN impact partners .

Earlier in her career, Melissa was a national director at OP 3 Events, where she led a nine-city fundraising walk benefiting the Avon Foundation for Women, helping to raise an average of $45 million each season. Recognized for her impact in youth empowerment and nonprofit management, she was named to Fortune magazine’s 40 Under 40 list in 2020 .

At Junior Achievement, Melissa leads efforts to provide hands-on financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship education to over 30,000 students annually across 52 counties in North and South Carolina. Her vision is to expand access to these programs, ensuring that all young people are equipped with the skills and knowledge to succeed in a global economy.

Crystal Taylor Vice President of Programs and Operations - Leadership

Email
704-563-4860

Crystal Taylor is the Vice President of Programs and Operations at Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas. She is a vibrant, uplifting and engaging professional with a passion for seeing others thrive. She received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from NC State University. Crystal has over 15 years as a non-profit professional with experience in volunteer management, community partnerships and program management. As a lifetime member of Girl Scouts, she is committed to making the world a better place. When she is not impacting youth, she enjoys gardening, participating in CrossFit classes, spending time with family and friends, and going on adventures.