Generation J Leadership Council

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Category In the News

One thing we know about the members of Generation J, the Joffrey’s advocacy group for young professionals: we share a passion for dance.

For twelve years now, the Generation J Leadership Council has supported the ongoing success of The Joffrey Ballet through new audience development and fundraising initiatives. Team members organize events, host social hours, and encourage company members to join soirées to support the next generation of arts patrons.
 
This year's Generation J Leadership Council includes Lauren Huefner, Leadership Council Co-Chair; Sarah Shu, Leadership Council Co-Chair; Abby Wasserman, Fundraising Chair; Peter Wasik, Membership & Events Chair; and Jacqueline Stewart, Communications Chair.

Lauren Huefner

Leadership Council Co-Chair

Lauren is honored to lead in her final season as Co-Chair of Generation J. Lauren has actively served Generation J for over a decade in various roles and has been instrumental in fostering relationships within the Chicago non-profit community and developing corporate partnerships. She spent her childhood and early twenties training and performing in classical ballet and currently works in financial consulting. She is grateful for all the ways that ballet has enriched her life and is passionate about spreading her love of dance to the next generation of patrons. She is continually amazed by the depth, emotion, and beauty of each new season of Joffrey performances. To Lauren, being a part of Generation J is so much more than philanthropy - it is joy, friendship, and community.

Sarah Shu

Leadership Council Co-Chair

Sarah has been a member of the Generation J Leadership Council since 2017 and a Co-Chair since 2022. She has organized social events for current, new, and prospective Gen J members, cross-board networking events with other young professional groups in Chicago and has aided in reaching continuously record-breaking ticket sales and fundraising goals for the Joffrey's Generation J programs. Sarah has been a life-long supporter of the Joffrey Ballet and is very optimistic about the future of the arts with opportunities like Gen J to inspire and involve the next generation. Professionally, Sarah owns a digital marketing company serving clients internationally and holds her MBA from the University of Chicago. She has been featured in publications including Harper's Bazaar and Modern Luxury.

Abby Wasserman

Fundraising Chair

Abby has been a member of the Generation J Leadership Council since 2022 and is excited to lead the Fundraising Committee. Abby’s love for ballet began at a young age and continued through the years at Milwaukee Ballet’s pre-professional program and through classes at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. After moving to Chicago in 2018, Abby became an avid supporter of The Joffrey Ballet and is humbled to serve Generation J.  Abby’s favorite Gen J events are the post-performance gatherings after Gen J nights and loves this opportunity to connect with others who share a passion for ballet. Professionally, Abby is a healthcare finance consultant working at a technology firm, Kodiak Solutions, where she helps implement and optimize financial and operational solutions for health systems around the country.

Peter Wasik

Membership & Events Chair

Peter has been a member of the Generation J Leadership Council since 2023. His love of the Joffrey Ballet began with his first viewing of Christopher Wheeldon's beautiful Chicago inspired 'The Nutcracker' and has been an avid subscription holder ever since. He leads the Membership & Events committee, planning exciting events and opportunities to support the Joffrey Ballet throughout the year. Peter is a CPA working in the International Tax Law space at Deloitte, having studied Accounting and Italian Language & Culture at university as well as earning a Master's Degree in Accounting, all from the University of Notre Dame. A lifelong Chicagoan, he is involved in several community initiatives, organizations and boards throughout the city. 

Jacqueline Stewart

Communications Chair

Jacqueline joins Generation J in her first season as Social Co-Chair.  A former professional dancer and active freelance choreographer, Jacqueline has danced extensively in Chicago for The Lyric Opera, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Thodos Dance Chicago and The Seldoms. Her choreography has been commissioned by various professional companies and awarded by The Joyce Theater Foundation of New York.  She currently creates dance work through her project-based company Jaxon Movement Arts and teaches as a Certified Pilates Instructor with over 15 years of experience. Jacqueline is passionate about introducing dance to the next generation of audiences through the Gen J social engagement platforms.