Steve Miller named Chair of the JUF 2022 Annual Campaign

Longtime community leader Steve Miller, renowned for his commitment to Jewish life, has taken the helm as Chair of the 2022 JUF Annual Campaign.

The Annual Campaign is the cornerstone of JUF’s multi-faceted resource development efforts, fueling life-transforming services for 500,000 Chicagoans of all faiths and two million Jews across the globe.

“Steve is an extraordinary leader, and we are grateful to him for taking on this important role,” said JUF President Lonnie Nasatir. “Steve likes to understand how people think, what motivates them, what inspires them. He is as big-hearted as he is witty–an unbeatable combination–and I know that under Steve’s leadership, the annual campaign is poised for great success in 2022.”

A longtime JUF board member, Miller has served on virtually every board committee, and has chaired the JUF Breakthrough Fund, Holocaust Community Services, and TOV Volunteer Network Committees.

Optimistic and energized, Miller is excited for what’s ahead: to galvanize those committed to JUF’s work and mission, while also focused on inspiring the next generation to find meaningful connections to JUF.

“I get excited about new ideas, about supporting innovation, and understanding what motivates younger generations,” Miller reflected. “Our children are digital natives. They do things differently, and that includes how they interact with organizations like JUF. We need to understand that. We need to support that and help our children and their children find ways to meaningfully engage with Jewish life.”

With a hopeful eye on the year ahead, Miller is looking forward to returning to in person experiences–gatherings, events and, of course, the chance to get out and be part of JUF’s impact.

“The most impactful experiences I’ve had are when I have been able to directly interact with the people who benefit from JUF’s work and the incredible work of our agencies,” Miller said. “Delivering food with Maot Chitim, dropping off my daughter to be a camp counselor at Apachi Day Camp or as a peer mentor for All Star Abilities–these are the moments that stick with me and my family and motivate us to continue to do the work we are doing.

Professionally, Miller is a Founding Partner of Origin Ventures, and he serves on the boards of Impact Engine and VHT. He also has been a Board Member of GrubHub and iNest.

Beyond his leadership within the Jewish community, Miller is vice chair of the Better Government Association, a board member at Stage 773, and serves on the Metropolitan Planning Council as an executive advisor. Previously, he was president of the board of Victory Gardens Theater and on the boards of nonprofits including i.c.stars, Boys Hope Girls Hope, and OneGoal. He is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and the University of Illinois Foundation and was awarded the 2014 Richard J. Daley Medal by the Illinois Venture Capital Association.

Steve received a B.S. in Business Administration/Marketing from the University of Illinois where he now serves on the Dean’s Business Council, which he chaired for two years. His devotion to his alma mater runs deep; he is a trustee of Illini Hillel, and provides funding for the Steven N. Miller Entrepreneurial Scholarships, the Diane N. & Steven N. Miller Centennial Chair in Business, and the Origin Ventures Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Illinois.