Julie is the Executive Director of the Pritzker Foundation where she leads the Foundation’s overall strategic vision, programmatic initiatives, and operations. Prior to this role, she was the Founding Executive Director of the Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation.

Julie has dedicated her career to driving systems-level change in areas such as gun violence and police reform, education reform, workforce development, social service delivery, and public policy advocacy. Prior to her work in philanthropy, she was Director of Strategic Planning for UIC’s Center for Urban Education Leadership, where she led the Center’s strategic direction and financial growth.

Julie began her philanthropic career at the Circle of Service Foundation as the Education Program Officer. Earlier in her career, Julie served as a senior policy analyst in early childhood education at the Ounce of Prevention Fund. Julie also held public sector roles, including as Assistant Commissioner in the City of Chicago’s Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, where she managed the City’s welfare-to-work programs. She previously worked as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the City’s Law Department and began her legal career in antitrust and general litigation at Bell, Boyd & Lloyd.

Julie earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and Political Science from Northwestern University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She lives in Chicago with her husband, where they raised their three adult sons.

Julie is passionate about outdoor activities, having competed in over 100 triathlons, running, and biking races, and loves hiking, biking, and kayaking during her family adventure travel trips. As a guide for para-athletes, she is constantly inspired by the Dare2tri community.