Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast (JA), the organization dedicated to empowering young people to own their economic success, recently appointed Dena B. Kennedy of West Palm Beach to its Board of Directors as the Chair Elect and welcomed Ken Carter to its Board as a new member.

Named to the JA Board in early 2016, Kennedy has decades of experience in the corporate banking world. As Senior Vice President of Corporate Banking at City National Bank, she formulates and executes sales strategies for new business origination for Palm Beach, Broward, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.

She is also the president of Kennedy Yachts, LLC, providing expert assistance to yacht purchasers and sellers in South Florida.

Kennedy has served on the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County since 1990. Her other leadership roles include board member and serving as first female board president of the West Palm Beach Rotary Club,and chair for the American Heart Association. She has been a member of the FORUM Club of the Palm Beaches since 1991.

Prior to her position with City National Bank, she was senior vice president of Commercial Banking for Bank of America and middle market relationship manager for Wells Fargo Bank. A graduate of Palm Beach State College, Kennedy returned to PBSC as staff to teach FDIC regulations for certification of bankers as compliance officers. She also studied financial analysis and banking at University of South Florida, Louisiana State University and University of Oklahoma.

Managing Partner of the Palm Beach Gardens location, Carter has worked for Outback Steakhouse restaurants since 2009, becoming a partner in 2013 in Sebring (Highlands County), before moving to Palm Beach County. In Highlands County, he served as a member of the JA Board and as Chair in 2015-16.

With JA, Carter has taught seniors and third-grade students, as well as inspiring his Outback staff to teach. He was also active with Drug-Free Highlands and The Children’s Museum.

“I firmly believe that we must give back, which is part of our principles and beliefs at Outback. I have sponsored the food for most of the JA events over the years in Highlands County and look forward to a great partnership here,” he said. “My dear friends, Lily and Scott, introduced me to JA, and the rest is history.”

For more information on Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast, including programs available to students and upcoming events, please visit www.juniorachievement.com or call (561) 242-9468.

About Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast (JA):

Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast (JA) is a nonprofit organization that focuses on preparing young people to succeed in a global economy through programs that center on work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. JA programs are taught by volunteers in the classroom and after school in over 120 schools and organizations throughout Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Hendry counties. Junior Achievement builds partnership between the business and education communities to provide the curriculum and the volunteers who serve as role models to students to help prepare them for their future. Junior Achievement programs are funded through contributions from businesses, individuals, foundations, and special event fundraisers. For more information please visit www.JuniorAchievement.com.