Ann Agulnick Young Leadership Award

History

Since 1963, Women’s Philanthropy has awarded a young female leader in our community with a Young Leadership Award. In 1982, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation named that leadership award in recognition of Ann Agulnick on her 80th birthday. Ann was a leader in every way. She was a role model to upcoming leaders and to those who taught others to lead. Her record of continuity of service was greater than that of any other single person in the community because she started young, stayed with it and never faltered in her work and her leadership.   

Criteria

The Ann Agulnick Young Leadership Award recognizes “a young woman who demonstrates outstanding qualities of leadership, awareness, and commitment to Jewish Life.”

The current criterion for nomination is as follows:

  • Candidate should be a young woman aged 45 or under at the time of nomination
  • Candidate should be a donor in good standing to the MJF Annual Campaign
  • Candidate will have demonstrated leadership in most of the areas below and have potential for continued involvement as leaders in Women’s Philanthropy, MJF, and the community:
    • Annual Campaign
    • Women’s Philanthropy and/or NextGen programs
    • Federation committees and activities
    • Commitment to and advocacy for Israel
    • Involvement in other Jewish community activities (i.e. constituent agencies, synagogues, other Israel advocacy organizations, etc.)

2026 Award Recipient

Melissa “Missie” Barnett

True to the legacy of philanthropist and leader Ann Agulnick, Missie was chosen for her deep commitment to Jewish communal life and her leadership across multiple facets of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. She currently serves as Chair of the Partnership2Gether (P2G) Committee, was one of Women’s Philanthropy’s fabulous 2025 VALOR Co-Chairs, is a member of the Israel and Overseas Committee, and participates on the Federation’s Strategic Planning Committee. Her past leadership includes co-chairing the 2024 October 7 Commemoration Event and participation in the Weinstein Fellowship (Cohort 8), MJF’s premier leadership development program.

Together with her husband David, Missie is raising their four children, George, Elsie, Andrew, and June, with strong Jewish values and a deep commitment to community. Her engagement extends globally and locally, including serving as a current ShinShin host family, participating in multiple Israel missions, attending JFNA’s 2024 and 2025 General Assemblies, and consistently showing up for VALOR.

Beyond Federation, Missie has contributed her leadership to the broader Jewish community through service on the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC Board of Directors. Whether she is volunteering, hosting gatherings, or expressing creativity through sewing, art, and baking, Missie brings people together with warmth, intention, and generosity.