Big News: My Mom, Kari Jo Stefanski, Is Officially Joining the 989 Team
I’ve written a lot of bios, welcome messages, and communications in my career to date - but this one is especially meaningful.
It’s my deepest honor (and honestly a full-circle moment) to officially welcome Kari Jo Stefanski - my mom - to the 989 Creative Group team as our new Relationship Manager. In this role, Kari Jo will focus on nurturing relationships with both new and existing clients, supporting business development initiatives, and maintaining a high level of client satisfaction across all of our projects. She’ll also serve as a key liaison between our internal team and client accounts to ensure smooth communication, strategic alignment, and seamless delivery of services. Her presence brings both heart and structure to how we grow - and how we show up.
This is more than just a new hire. It’s the continuation of a professional partnership rooted in mutual trust, shared values, and years of working side-by-side in the nonprofit and social impact space. Those who know us know: my mom and I don’t just get along - we thrive when we work together.
The Backstory: Built on Trust, Purpose, and A Lot of Coffee & Tea
Kari Jo brings over 40 years of professional experience to the table - spanning marketing and sales management, development, and leadership across industries including automotive, public radio, nonprofit, and community-centered marketing. Her career has been anything but one-note. She’s led corporate teams, grown donor bases, stewarded major sponsorships, and built entire programs from the ground up.
But no matter the industry, her superpower has always been the same: people.
She’s a passionate advocate, a strategic thinker, and a natural connector who sees and values the heart of every story. She’s spent the last decade working in nonprofit leadership and direct service, walking alongside young people and families navigating housing insecurity and systemic barriers - and using her voice to build better pathways forward.
Over the years, we’ve collaborated on grassroots fundraising efforts, developed grant strategies, hosted awareness events, and navigated high-stakes moments where empathy and clarity were essential. Some of our most successful campaigns have been born around her kitchen table, during late-night brainstorming sessions, or while driving to community meetings with big dreams and tight timelines.
Her insight, compassion, and ability to build genuine connections with people is unmatched. She’s the kind of person who remembers your dog’s name, asks the right questions, and follows up when it matters most. I trust her implicitly - not just because she’s my mom, but because she’s one of the most dedicated, resourceful, and mission-aligned professionals I’ve ever known.
What This Means for 989
Bringing Kari Jo on as our Relationship Manager is part of a larger effort to deepen our impact and scale our capacity in a way that feels right - aligned with our mission and in service of our clients.
She’ll be leading with care and curiosity as she nurtures relationships with new and longtime clients, supports our team in stewarding projects, and helps ensure that every brand we serve feels heard, supported, and celebrated.
At 989, we believe marketing isn’t about vanity - it’s about transformation, trust, and amplifying missions that matter. Kari Jo lives and breathes that every single day.
Join Me in Welcoming Kari Jo
We are so excited for this next chapter, and I can’t wait for more of you to experience the warmth and wisdom she brings to every conversation. Please help me give her the warmest 989 welcome 💛
You can reach Kari Jo directly at karijo@989creativegroup.com, or if you’d like to schedule a call with our team, click here to connect.
Here’s to what’s next - together.
With so much gratitude,
Cam
