Jewish Chicago Magazine

Described as “a renaissance woman with entrepreneurial spirit,” Stefanie’s passion, innovation, and commitment to justice and tzedakah are unmatched.  
 
Stefanie, who currently serves on the JUF Women’s Philanthropy Young Women’s Council, is a monthly AllStar volunteer at JUF Uptown Cafe, and a community member at Base Andersonville. She also has a a deep history of involvement at Windy City Minyan, Mishkan Chicago, Anshe Sholom B’nai Israel, and more. In 2020, she even ran a virtual matchmaking service, helping people connect during the challenging time. 
 
She is also dedicated to improving healthcare equity and financial outcomes. Stefanie has unique insight into the maternal health crisis and became a doula in 2024.
 
Philanthropically driven, Stefanie continuously supports Jewish communities locally in Chicago as well as across the country and world. 

Age: 35 
 
Pronouns: she/her/hers
 
Primary gig: Strategy & Growth at a healthcare services start-up 
 
On the side: Doula, writer, former matchmaker 
 
How do you give back? Outside of volunteering and connecting people to each other, I like to encourage others to give more generously by offering philanthropic matches! My husband and I use a Donor Advised Fund and started making contributions to hyperlocal organizations when we travel as an ode to the places we visit. I fund causes that are important to me or have shaped my identity, like Midwest Access Coalition, Moishe House, Joint Distribution Committee and more. 
 
Something most people don’t know about you: I’ve made and delivered approximately 50 lasagnas in the last few years through an organization called Lasagna Love. 
 
What is your proudest accomplishment? I gave birth this spring to my son! Making a human was a physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional adventure in so many ways. Also, I made it into the Chicago Tribune once for matchmaking in 2020—a couple I set up then is getting married this year! 
 
Is there anything else you’d like the community to know about you? I’m in a cookbook club! We each make a recipe from the same cookbook and then feast. It’s the only time each month that I actually follow a recipe…I’m more of a kitchen improviser usually. 
 
A Jew who inspires you: My grandparents—they grew up in Chicago and lived generous, loud, intellectual, passionate, Jewish communal lives here until they passed.