From punk rocker to community builder

Jim Flax serves on board of The Nature Foundation of Will County. (Photo by Tara Neff)

Though you might not guess it from his quiet demeanor, Jim Flax has a lot to say —especially when the conversation turns to his wife, Kayla, their “six-plus children” and one grandson. His face lights up as he talks about their many interests and accomplishments, and he seems especially proud when he considers how their childhood values continue to guide their lives.

As outdoor enthusiasts, the couple took their children fishing, hiking, sledding and painting in local preserves. Their lives were shaped by curiosity, exploration and love for the outdoors. Flax believes that nature provides formative experiences — offering lessons no classroom can provide — and brings peace from living life simply and intentionally.

Flax met Kayla in college, where he studied English and art. The pair were what he called “punk rockers.” His love of art, nature and history may not seem like the most straightforward path to a career in the financial world, but he found his first job out of school at Chicago Mercantile Exchange to be pivotal.

“Numbers didn’t really make sense until my first job at the Exchange,” he recalled. “It finally made sense. Everything must come out equal.” After a tenure at Goldman Sachs, Flax made the move to TradeStation in 2017. Since then, he has moved into a more creative role in the compliance section, where he regularly works with the marketing team and creates training curriculum.

Flax says he never tried to blend his profession with his passions. The separation, he believes, is a good thing. His work provides financial stability for his family and his passions feed his soul. Serving on the board of The Nature Foundation brings those threads together — an opportunity to give back, steward what matters and ensure future generations can foster the same connections that sustain him.

The Foundation is dedicated to supporting the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s conservation, education and recreation priorities — three pillars that echo his lifelong values. He sees the results of these investments everywhere: the trails and waterways that provide hiking and fishing opportunities, school programs that shape young minds and the historical preservation that ties past to present.

He volunteers with the Crete Park District and is a member of the Crete Historical Society, and he strongly believes that if more people understood how these organizations make Crete a great place to live, they would feel inspired to become involved themselves.

Flax says, “We have a wealth of resources, and that make this a better place not only now but for the future. This is how you raise healthy families.”

Conservation protects the places families explore. Education invests in the next generation. Recreation strengthens both the body and spirit. These aren’t luxuries — Flax sees them as essential for strengthening communities. He knows that bringing attention to these benefits helps people understand what is available and how they can get involved.

Flax hopes to inspire others to cherish the simple things — to get outside, continue learning and contribute generously. In a world that often feels rushed and complicated, he believes that when families make time for nature and invest in their community, they grow strong, happy and whole.