George Caraballo Named Mayor at Junior Achievement Fundraising Event

George Caraballo, DuPage Credit Union’s Associate Director of Branches & Community Engagement, poses with the DuPage Credit Union team after his Junior Achievement mayoral election.

Giving back to an organization that helped shape the man he has become was a natural transition for George Caraballo.

“I had the opportunity to participate in Junior Achievement programs while attending Chicago Public Schools,” he said. “And now, to be able to give back to the communities where I grew up is very special to me. There is a huge need.”

Junior Achievement is a nonprofit organization that helps students build financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship skills through hands-on educational programs.

Caraballo was recently elected “mayor” of the DuPage Division of Junior Achievement’s JA Town at a fundraising event for the organization. The race was neck and neck but Caraballo scored hundreds of votes in the final days of the campaign to overtake his nearest mayoral candidate, Arlene Hybl of Republic Bank.

“I tried to make my campaign fun—credit unions vs banks,” he smiled.

Supporters donated $5 to Junior Achievement to vote for their candidate. The Junior Achievement Night on the Town event raised $18,200 to benefit over 1,100 students in DuPage County, smashing the goal of $8,000 to become the most successful event on record.

A Lifetime of Giving Back

Caraballo has volunteered with Junior Achievement USA for more than 30 years and has served on the organization’s Board of Directors since 2018—first with the west suburban chapter before transitioning to the DuPage County chapter after becoming a member of DuPage Credit Union in 2025.

He also volunteers with Little Friends, which supports children and adults with special needs, and he assists with a Chicago prison outreach program focused on helping returning citizens build financial literacy skills.

“George is very generous with his time,” said Kenya Shettlesworth, DuPage Credit Union Collections Manager and Junior Achievement volunteer. “He sees potential in young people and understands the impact mentorship and financial education can have on their lives.”