Pacific Environment - Protecting the living environment of the Pacific Rim

Raised in Nenana, Alaska, Julia is the daughter of an educator and a tugboat captain. Her background instills a deep, lived understanding of the complexities of the issues across the Arctic. She brings extensive experience in high-paced, complex outreach, governance, public service, coalition-building and advocacy. With a background in rural development, economic policy and community-based leadership, she previously served as the Alaska state director for USDA Rural Development, overseeing statewide programs supporting infrastructure, food security, water systems and human development. Her work emphasized interagency collaboration, Tribal partnerships and trust-based relationship building across rural Alaska. She is committed to advancing Indigenous leadership, rural resilience and community-driven solutions for the Arctic’s future.