Julie Wilen

Julie Rubins Wilen is the Director of Philanthropic Advisory for BMO Family Office. In this role, Julie advises ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals and families on strategic philanthropy and charitable giving. Her deep experience working with families, foundations, and nonprofit organizations strengthens BMO’s ability to deliver comprehensive planning solutions and help clients achieve their philanthropic goals.

Julie’s career spans philanthropy, foundation leadership, strategic planning, law, and public service. Most recently, Julie served as Executive Director of both the Pritzker Foundation and the Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation, where she led the foundations’ strategic vision, grantmaking initiatives, and operations since 2013. She began her career in philanthropy at the Circle of Service Foundation, the family foundation of philanthropist Michael Krasny.

Before transitioning to philanthropy, Julie was Director of Strategic Planning for the University of Illinois Chicago’s Center for Urban Education Leadership, where she guided the organization’s strategic direction and organizational growth. Earlier in her career, she served as a Senior Policy Analyst for Early Childhood Education at Start Early and as an Assistant Commissioner in the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development. She also worked as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the City of Chicago Law Department and began her legal career practicing antitrust and commercial litigation at Bell, Boyd & Lloyd.

ulie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Political Science from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She currently serves on the boards of the University of Chicago Community Safety Leadership Academies, Girls in the Game, and Dare2tri, where she also volunteers as a guide for para-athletes.