We believe every volunteer, educator and supporter plays a vital role in impacting the lives of Wisconsin teenagers. But every year, we like to take time out and honor some of the people and organizations who have made a unique impact on raising the bar of teen fiscal literacy.

Stacy Leuty: 2014 Lloyd Levin Difference Maker – Volunteer: Tootsie Rolls and a tool belt. Those are just two of the props Stacy Leuty uses to convey financial literacy concepts to high school students as a Make A Difference – Wisconsin instructor.The board of directors and staff are proud to name Stacy as the 2014 Lloyd Levin Difference Maker, an annual award that recognizes one volunteer’s exceptional commitment to the Make A Difference – Wisconsin mission.
An accountant by training, Stacy (in the picture at left receiving the award from founder Lloyd Levin and President and CEO Brenda Campbell) has been a stay-at-home mom for 13 years. In eight years as a volunteer, she combines her professional background with a passion for teaching to help her students start their financial lives with good habits.
She draws motivation from “You see so many people are living beyond their means,” she said. “In the recession, so many houses in my neighborhood went into foreclosure. I don’t want that for my kids and I don’t want it for any child.
“My heart goes out to kids who don’t have good role models. It’s my passion in life to inspire them and get them off on the right start. I stress to the kids that they are already using money and will be financially independent sooner than later. I motivate them to listen to me. I have a ton of tricks I use to keep the class fun.”
Brenda Campbell, executive director of Make A Difference – Wisconsin, observed, “Stacy has a special gift for engaging students with her creative activities and straightforward approach. She has gone above and beyond by accepting multiple assignments, offering thoughtful feedback, and helping to develop our new online volunteer training program. We’re honored to have Stacy’s support.”

CFA Society of Milwaukee: 2014 Lloyd Levin Difference Maker – Organization: For years they have prided themselves as the largest recruiter of classroom volunteers, and it is with that same level of pride that the board of directors and staff of Make A Difference – Wisconsin name the CFA Society of Milwaukee as the 2014 Lloyd Levin Difference Maker – Organization of the year.
Jim Fleming, CFA Society of Milwaukee President, says they support Make A Difference – Wisconsin because “Our aligned beliefs in the importance of consumer financial education has produced a unique partnership that allows our two organizations to greatly improve the future prospects of the local community.”
Sara Walker, a Make A Difference volunteer and board member of the CFA Society of Milwaukee, shares “As a volunteer in the classroom, I learn more than I could ever teach. I learn to be optimistic because today’s young people are smart and inquisitive. I learn to be humble because so many of them have risen above extremely challenging conditions. I learn to be patient because they are trying so hard to understand. I learn to be grateful for all that I have been given.”
“We are extremely excited to award the first Difference Maker organization award to the CFA Society of Milwaukee”, says Brenda Campbell, executive director of Make A Difference – Wisconsin. “From volunteer recruitment to conference sponsorship, their ongoing support has meant so much to us. I especially want to recognize Eric Gauger and Dave Becker for their wonderful vision in opening the door to this partnership, Joe Frederick for his never-ending support and creative ideas, and the many supportive Society past presidents, including Lora Olenchek, Tom Rippl, Wendy Stojadinovic, Kristin Lindblom, and Bill McGinnis.