Janna Thach’s time at Sac High marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to leadership, service, and community empowerment. These values continue to define her career and personal mission today.

Janna started at Sac High in 2004 which was  a time of change as St. HOPE took over management of the school. Janna saw many positive changes including about 80% of her graduating class being accepted into college. Janna notes that the changes were not just academic but also cultural and aspirational. Sac High became a place where students were encouraged to see beyond their immediate surroundings and imagine futures of impact and purpose.

Janna was part of a leadership group that helped define her high school experience. She participated in volunteer projects that touched communities near and far. Through this program, she visited struggling schools in cities like Chicago, Washington D.C., and New York. These experiences left a mark, especially one school with no volleyball net for its team and a gym that doubled as a library. For Janna, it was a stark contrast that helped her appreciate the vision behind St. HOPE Public Schools and what Sac High was striving to build: opportunity in the face of adversity.

In 2006, her volunteer efforts earned her the Bank of America Student Leadership Award. That recognition came with a job offer, one that launched a 16-year career in banking. Starting as an intern and working as a teller at just 17, Janna worked her way up to District Manager. She credits that leadership group at Sac High for setting her on that path.

Growing up in a community where financial literacy was rare, Janna saw firsthand how a lack of knowledge could limit people’s potential. That insight became a key driver in her career. She dedicated herself to helping others understand and build financial stability, eventually leading entire teams and managing multiple branches.

Though she was awarded a full-ride scholarship to UC Davis, Janna had to make the difficult decision to leave college to support her family. It was a tough choice, but she never stopped learning or leading. She leaned on the tools she had developed at Sac High to keep moving forward.

Today, Janna has transitioned into healthcare, where she serves as a Regional Operations Supervisor for DaVita. Her role involves supporting patients throughout their kidney disease journey. The leadership, empathy, and mentorship skills she honed in banking have been invaluable in her transition to healthcare. To Janna, both financial and physical health are essential foundations for a good life, and she’s now worked to improve both.

Outside of work, Janna enjoys stand-up comedy and Korean dramas. She’s an avid traveler who’s explored nine countries, including Vietnam, Peru, Mexico, and El Salvador. She values cultural experiences deeply and has her sights set on visiting Korea and Japan next. And as a proud Seahawks fan, football Sundays are a staple.

Janna hasn’t forgotten where she came from, and she wants current and future Sac High students to remember the same. Her advice:

“Don’t let social media or someone else’s path impact your happiness. Don’t compare your journey to another’s. Live in alignment with your values, passion, and purpose. And never forget where you came from—give back to that place. Mentor, volunteer, be a resource. Your community needs you.”