Julie has served as president and CEO of the Food Bank since 2014. She joined Northern Illinois Food Bank in 2009 and previously served as vice president of philanthropy overseeing fundraising, food sourcing, marketing and volunteers. Under Julie’s leadership the Food Bank successfully completed Strategic Plan 2020, providing equity to access to charitable food in 98% of the communities served by Food Bank member agencies and programs. In 2020, the Food Bank lunched Strategic Plan UNITE to transform the charitable food system in order to reach 90% of neighbors experiencing food insecurity through a more dignified, equitable and convenient experience.
Julie has more than 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector. Prior to joining the Food Bank, Julie worked for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Children’s Memorial Foundation (now Lurie’s Children’s Medical Center) and the Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo. Julie has served as President of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement, and on the Boards of the Special Education Alliance for District 200, and Teen Parent Connection.
Julie serves on the Boards of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago, Feeding Illinois and Thrivent Member Network Regional Board. She is a past member of the Illinois Commission to End Hunger.
Julie has a degree in music and business from Northern Illinois University. She and her family live in Winfield.