Julie is engaged in a portfolio of initiatives that includes food systems, housing and homelessness, mental health, environmental justice, equitable economic development, workforce development, education ecosystem, equity in journalism, and equity in the arts. Julie helps create collaborative initiatives through the facilitation of convenings and projects, connecting funded partners to resources, and identifying funding opportunities and partners. She describes her work as a balance of community engagement and listening while challenging the traditional status quo of system archetypes to achieve race equity. 

Julie is trained in Courageous Conversation About Race Protocol (sessions 1 and 2) and Facilitation for Social Change Masterclass. She also attended the 2019 Foundation staff tour of civil rights museums and historical sites to advance his understanding of the history of racial equity and social change.

Julie is a seasoned grants writer, special project manager and administrator with an extensive record of service in the Tampa Bay area. Her prior roles include grant writer and STEAM Manager for the Tampa Housing Authority and Vice President of Resource Development and Special Projects at the Corporation to Develop Communities (CDC) of Tampa, Inc. She also worked for the sheriff’s office for ten years.

She holds a B.A. in criminology from the University of South Florida and a master’s in public administration from Hodges University in Fort Myers. She is also a graduate of Leadership Lee County – Class of 1999 and Leadership St. Pete – Class of 2019.  

Julie serves as a Board Member for the Innovation District. She also serves on the Homeless Leadership Alliance Funder’s Council as well as the St Petersburg Food Policy Council. Most recently, Julie was inducted into the Florida Economic Security Cohort, a cohort of Florida and national foundations hosted by Florida Philanthropic Network and Florida Policy Institute that will focus on building capacity for policy and advocacy efforts related to economic security. 

In her downtime, you can find Julie in creative art spaces, kayaking, championing mental wellness, or spending time with family, her partner, friends, and dogs.