Leadership

Julie Granger – President – Leadership

Julie Granger joined the JA Wisconsin team as president in November of 2023. She is thrilled to be leading an organization that changes lives and empowers young people. Prior to JA, Julie served for more than 25 years with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, most recently as Executive Vice President. During her tenure, she led the organization’s membership, talent strategy, marketing, communications and equity and inclusion efforts. This experience has given her unique insight into the current and anticipated talent needs of employers. She believes Junior Achievement’s career-based learning experiences have never been more relevant or necessary. And she is driven to create equitable opportunities for the next generation of Wisconsin citizens.

Earlier in her career, Julie worked in advertising and corporate communications for Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield and (going way back) she was an overnight assignment editor for the ABC affiliate in Cleveland, OH. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from John Carroll University and a certificate in non-profit leadership from the Institute for Organizational Management.

Julie serves on the boards of TEMPO Milwaukee, Imagine MKE and Pius XI High School. She was named a “Woman of Influence” by the Milwaukee Business Journal in 2021. She has two adult children and resides with her husband in Wauwatosa, WI. When she’s not working, chances are she’s outside hiking or inside trying to recreate her grandmother’s Italian recipes.

Mari Stein – Sr. Regional Director (Northcentral) – Leadership

After receiving her Business Management degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Mari’s professional career was largely spent in retail management and purchasing, followed by 12 years as a stay-at-home mother. In 2007, she decided it was time to join JA as an Elementary Program Manager, not only so she would be back in the workforce, but so she could also continue to be involved with her kids at their schools while helping other students in the area.

As Senior Regional Director for both the North Central Region and Portage & Wood Counties Area, she works with staff to oversee their operations, working closely with them to develop fundraising strategies, program strategies and regional events.

Mari is a long-time resident of the Wausau area where she resides with her husband. They have two sons, one who just graduated from college and another in his third year of medical school. In her free time, Mari likes to enjoy the great outdoors while spending time at the family cottage up north. Each year she travels to Anna Maria Island in Florida to “escape” the Wisconsin winters.