Julie grew up in southern Indiana on the north side of Evansville. Her love of the outdoors began at an early age and was fostered by many family excursions hiking and camping at Indiana State Parks.
She began her college studies in the Botany & Plant Pathology Department at Purdue University in the mid-90s focusing on plant genetics. During this time, Julie worked in the Botany & Plant Pathology Greenhouse where she helped grow and care for plants used for the department’s classes. Her work in the greenhouse led to a change in educational focus. She transferred into the Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture and the Department of Forestry & Natural Resources where her studies merged to fulfill her desire to study the design of habitats.
After graduating from Purdue University, Julie worked for the Indiana Arborist Association. She served as their business manager for almost 10 years and helped plan and implement educational programming events for urban foresters.
In 2008, Julie and her husband, Jason, co-founded Lafayette PC, a computer consulting firm in downtown Lafayette, IN. While Jason focused on IT services, his area of expertise, Julie stepped into the role of CEO where she was responsible for business development, sales, efficient operations, marketing strategies, and all other obligations that come with owning a small business. In just a few short years, Lafayette PC won several community awards including Small Business of the Month, Small Business of the Year, and received the Journal & Courier’s Reader’s Choice Award. During this time, Julie personally received the Top 10 Under 40 Award and was named Central Indiana’s BNI (Business Networking International) Member of the Year.
After selling their business in 2014, Julie used her business and development skills as Resource Development Associate at United Way of Greater Lafayette. In 2016, she was hired as NICHES Land Trust’s first Development Director. Soon after, she transitioned into the role of Deputy Director where her business acumen, development skills, and conservation knowledge allowed NICHES Land Trust to grow substantially in their capacity to meet their local conservation needs.