Wisconsin Women in Government (WWIG), a statewide, bipartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and supporting women who serve the public in government at all levels, recognized the many contributions to public service and child welfare by School of Social Work alum Julie Ahnen with its Legacy Award for her “significant, lasting contributions to government through leadership and service.”

Julie joined Dane County Human Services in 1995 where she is currently the Manager of Child Protective Services. The award noted that she, “has been a driving force in shifting child protective services toward preventative, family-centered approaches, helping reduce reliance on foster care while strengthening support for families. A leader in advancing equity, she has championed efforts to address racial disparities and improve accountability through data-driven decision-making. Her work implementing Family First Prevention Services Act standards and mentoring generations of social workers has left an enduring mark on public service in Wisconsin.”

Audrey Conn, Clinical Professor and Director of Field Education, who Julie supervised more than 20 years ago a when Audrey had her field placement at DCHS, had the privilege of introducing Julie. She explained, “What makes Julie so deserving of this award is…the depth of her impact. Her career reflects the very best of public service — leadership grounded in empathy, professionalism rooted in purpose, and a lifelong dedication to making systems stronger and more responsive for those who need them most.” The school is especially grateful to Julie for her many years facilitating placements and supervising our students at Dane County Human Services.