Junior Achievement Of Southern Ca

MANAGEMENT

CEO/Executive Director

Burgandie K. Onekea

CEO/Executive Director Experience

Burgandie Onekea serves as the Chief Regional Officer & Executive Director of Junior Achievement of Southern California, overseeing the regional footprint of Junior Achievement of Orange County & Inland Empire (JA OCIE). She leads strategic efforts across Orange County, the Inland Empire, Kern, and Bakersfield, ensuring students in every corner of the region have access to real-world education in financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship. A bold and visionary executive with over 33 years of nonprofit leadership, Burgandie brings a rare blend of strategic insight, operational excellence, community collaboration and a heart deeply rooted in her faith and commitment to youth empowerment. She believes that leadership is not just about goals met, but lives touched. Her faith fuels her purpose and shapes her values-based approach to servant leadership. Throughout her career, Burgandie has held senior leadership roles with nationally respected nonprofits including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, National MS Society, American Cancer Society, and Arthritis Foundation. At MDA, she led leadership development efforts by hiring, training, and mentoring Executive Directors across the western region, fostering a culture of accountability, compassion, and excellence. At Junior Achievement, her leadership has been transformational. Under her guidance, the region achieved record-breaking milestones—including serving over 33,000 students in a single year and surpassing $1 million in annual revenue for the first time in JA OCIE’s history. She has expanded corporate partnerships, deepened school district collaborations, and elevated major donor engagement, all while ensuring equity and opportunity are at the center of every initiative. Burgandie is a sought-after trainer, leadership coach, and keynote speaker, known for inspiring nonprofit professionals, emerging leaders, and executive teams across the country. With authenticity, humor, and heart, she speaks on topics such as transformational leadership, resilience, faith in leadership, team alignment, and leading with purpose. Her ability to connect through storytelling and lived experience leaves audiences moved, motivated, and ready to lead with impact. Burgandie is widely known as a trusted C-suite executive, culture-builder, and community connector. A proud Hawaii native who now calls Orange County home, she infuses the spirit of aloha into her work and relationships, leading with grace, humility, and strength. She is active & deeply involved in the community, currently serving various organizations, committees and is a proud board member of the MVS Foundation. She finds deep joy in mentoring others and investing in the next generation of leaders. Outside of her professional work, Burgandie loves dancing hula, celebrating culture, and spending quality time with her husband and children. Whether in a boardroom or a classroom, she leads with conviction, compassion, and a deep belief that every young person is created with purpose and deserves the opportunity to dream big, rise boldly, and walk confidently into their future.

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