Team Member Spotlight: Lauren Stendahl, Director of Impact and Partnerships

This month, we’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on Lauren Stendahl, who recently celebrated her five-year anniversary at Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans in August! Originally from the Twin Cities in Minnesota, Lauren made her way to New Orleans in 2017 after graduating from the University of Iowa with a degree in Ethics & Public Policy. Drawn by the city's rich history and vibrant culture, Lauren started her career here teaching high school. After a few years in the classroom, she transitioned to JA where she leads our partnership with YouthForce NOLA to connect high school youth to high-wage, high-growth career paths in our region.

Lauren’s passion for her work is evident in everything she does. “I love that no day feels the same!” she says. “It’s so much fun to plan new and innovative programming for schools and see the joy on the faces of students and teachers when we make an event happen that really ‘clicks.’” Her dedication to filling the gap in education with essential financial literacy and career readiness skills is what drives her every day. “Students very desperately need and deserve relevant information about in-demand careers locally and financial literacy skills to be more holistically healthy and secure in the future. I really do feel like we make a massive difference in the lives of the students we are able to reach.”

Lauren's journey into work began long before her time at JA in paths familiar to many young people starting out; she worked in the food service industry during high school and later in human resources throughout college. These early experiences shaped her professional life, instilling a strong work ethic. She also credits her parents: “As a true only child, I have always looked up to both of my parents in terms of work ethic and core values. They really instilled a sense of communal responsibility and empathy that has carried me into my current career path.”

Outside of work, Lauren enjoys soaking up all the joy New Orleans has to offer and is planning an exciting honeymoon to Turkey and Greece. She’s especially excited about exploring the bazaars of Istanbul and enjoying the sun on a Greek island. When asked about her favorite restaurants, she finds it hard to choose but stays loyal to Mopho and Paladar 511 for her go-to spots.

In the future, Lauren dreams of joining the Peace Corps post-retirement, immersing herself in another culture and learning as much as she can. Until then, she’ll continue making a meaningful impact at JA—and, of course, remain a devoted watcher of The Real Housewives franchise, with the OG New York cast being her all-time favorite.

We’re incredibly lucky to have Lauren on our team, and we look forward to seeing all the amazing things she will continue to accomplish!

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A Night to Remember: The 2024 Rising Stars Reception

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Team Member Spotlight: Madeline Hauck, Director of Education and School Support