Julie and Jeff were first introduced to Uhlich Children’s Academy Network in the 1990s through a friend of Julie’s.  It began a mutually satisfying and enriching relationship that has lasted decades.

In 2003 when the Diermeier’s launched their Family Foundation it was rooted in the belief that those who begin life on earth with a disadvantage can overcome and become productive and successful participants in this economy.  They firmly believe that youth who have dealt with trauma can become future leaders; so UCAN was a natural for them.

Their involvement with UCAN includes both Julie and Jeff serving on the President’s Board starting in 2008, co-chairing YLA Annual events, funding the Diermeier Future Leaders Now program in 2011, and providing key support for the Diermeier Therapeutic Youth Home.  Jeff joined the governing Board in 2016 and is currently co-Chair along with Lynn Kostakis, of UCAN’s Power of Potential Campaign.

Julie grew up in upstate New York and other places following her Army Corp of Engineer father.  After attending St. Bonaventure she had a career in the fashion industry in Denver and Chicago where she met Jeff.  In addition to being co-trustee of the family foundation Julie has supported numerous causes in cancer research, early childhood education and women’s social issues.  She has funded human trafficking research at the University of Wisconsin, which is of particular interest to her.  Julie and Jeff have two children, Erica, who is here tonight and mother to their two grandchildren and son Jeremy.

Jeff grew up in Appleton Wisconsin and obtained his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Wisconsin’s Business School.  So he is one of many Badger and Packer fans here in Chicago. 

Jeff is a buy-side investment professional by trade. He is a past President and CEO of CFA Institute, which issues the prestigious CFA charter, and the former Global Chief Investment Officer of UBS Global Asset Management.  He worked with UBS and its predecessors, primarily as a founding Managing Partner at Brinson Partners, Inc., in various active asset management positions.  He began his career at First Chicago.

In addition to Jeff’s foundation and UCAN roles current activities include: founder of family office Canna Investment Management, Board member and Audit Committee Chair at London based Janus Henderson Group, Board member of Chicago based private equity firm Adams Street Partners, Board, Investment and Audit Committees of the University of Wisconsin (UW) Foundation, Chair of the Board of Visitors of UW’s Astronomy Department, (perhaps his most interesting venture) Board member of the Community Foundation of Collier County and Head of the Naples Research Council of the American Cancer Society. 

Previous roles include: Chair of the Financial Accounting Foundation which oversees the FASB and GASB, Chair and co-owner of Wisconsin based industrial company LB White Company, Board of Governors at CFA Institute, member of the SEC’s Committee on Improvements to Financial Reporting, UW Business School Board of Advisors, the University of Chicago Investment Committee among others.

Jeff has received leadership awards from CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Chicago and the UW Business School Distinguished Alumnus Award as well as receiving two Graham and Dodd Scroll Awards from the Financial Analysts Journal and the Roger Murray Award from the Q Group for published investment research.

Chiagozie Onyewuchi is a junior at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Ubrana. He is an Economics major and Computer Science minor. Chiagozie grew up in North Lawndale, where he was very active in his church and was employed at the Chicago Leader newspaper. At school, Chiagoze is in the Robotics Club, Chess Club, Poetry Club, and a School Theatre Production of “The Wiz”. Chiagozie also enjoys journalism, video editing and coding. He hopes to get a career in the tech industry after graduation but is also interested in the creative sector. He has also lived in Nigeria

ABOUT THE STEANS FAMILY FOUNDATION YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD SCHOLARSHIP

The Steans family-Harrison, Lois, and their three daughters, Heather, Jennifer, and Robin-created the Foundation in 1986 to sponsor a class of sixth graders through the "I Have a Dream" program. The Steans Family Foundation concentrates on helping youth in the North Lawndale, a community on Chicago’s west side, and North Chicago, a city 40 miles north of Chicago. This year, UCAN is honored to announce our new The Steans Family Foundation Youth Leadership award winner Darrion O’Neal.

The Steans Family Foundation Youth Leadership Awards are given to UCAN youth who demonstrated exceptional leadership and advocacy for themselves, the community, other youth, and UCAN programs in the following areas: Personal development, educational achievement, civic participation, and emotional and spiritual well-being. It is intended for he or she to continue their education after high school. The remarkable scholar is selected based upon the quality of his application and an interview with selected UCAN board members, staff, and youth ambassadors.