Julie is a researcher, writer, entrepreneur, and educator with a passion for solving problems. For the past 15 years she has served as a faculty member in the Department of Earth Science at Southern Connecticut State University and worked as a mental health consultant in public safety. Julie earned a doctorate in education (Ed.D.) from the University of Hartford in 2024, and her dissertation research was focused on the diffusion of mindfulness into public safety wellness training. She also holds a Master of Science in Geophysics from the University of Vermont and is a certified instructor of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a clinically supported, mind-body medicine program developed at UMASS Medical School.

Her formal education was deepened through volunteer work and trainings in Indonesia, India, and Guatemala. She has 20 years of experience with contemplative practices to improve well-being, manage stress and trauma, build emotional intelligence, and sharpen leadership acumen. Julie has created and led training sessions for the U.S. Coast Guard Leadership Development Center, corporate businesses, NGOs, healthcare professionals, and numerous public safety organizations.