Julia M. Stasch
Vice President, Human and Community Development

Email: jstasch at macfound dot org

Julia Stasch is Vice President of the Program on Human & Community Development of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. She is responsible for all aspects of the Foundation's grantmaking related to strengthening communities; improving teaching and learning; increasing access to stable and affordable housing; improving juvenile justice; advancing policies that promote mental health; supporting approaches to enhancing the competitiveness of the nation's regions; and translating research and practical experience into effective social and economic policy.

Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked for the City of Chicago, first as Commissioner of the city's Department of Housing and most recently as Chief of Staff to Mayor Richard M. Daley. As Commissioner she led a process resulting in the city's commitment to a $1.3 billion five-year plan for affordable housing. As Chief of Staff, one of her significant accomplishments was the design and negotiation of the $1.5 billion plan for transformation of public housing in Chicago.

From 1996 to 1997 she was President and Chief Executive Officer of Shorebank Chicago Companies where she was responsible for Chicago operations of Shorebank, including South Shore Bank, the nation's first community development bank. In 1977 Stasch was one of the first four employees of the Chicago-based real estate development firm Stein & Company. When she left in 1996 as President and Chief Operating Officer, the staff numbered 220 and projects included the Metcalfe Federal Building, Chicago 's United Center, and expansion of McCormick Place. While at Stein and Company she became nationally known for her work to include women and minorities in the construction industry.

During the first Clinton Administration Stasch served as Deputy Administrator of the General Services Administration in Washington, a 20,000-person agency responsible for management of government-wide building construction, leasing, and management. Earlier in her career she was a Vista volunteer and a teacher in the Chicago public school system.

Stasch was the founding President of the Board of the Women's Issues Network, and previously served on the Board of Directors of the Women's Business Development Center and Leadership Greater Chicago. She is a member of the Economic Club and the Chicago Network. Stasch is a summa cum laude graduate of Loyola University, and has a master's degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.