Julie’s personal mission is to create opportunities for women to thrive, not simply survive. The social and economic inequality she experienced during two years serving in Peace Corps Rwanda and a year with AmeriCorps in Denver, Colorado inspired her to focus her energy on women’s empowerment. Specifically, Julie is passionate about creating greater educational and economic inclusion for women.
Her experience in international and domestic development work, along with education and gender equity programmes, propelled her to co-found The Women’s Bakery (TWB) in 2015. TWB is a social enterprise which builds bakeries and provides vocational training and employment to women in East Africa. With over 50 women employed and five bakeries in Rwanda, TWB continues to expand, with goals for global expansion through franchising.
Julie has come to believe that business is one of the best tools for development, social impact, and sustainable change. Julie has built her career in the social enterprise sector, developing high-impact businesses, managing and directing international programmes, and facilitating women’s empowerment through education and employment.
Over the last eight years, Julie has lived across Rwanda, Tanzania, and the US. In her free-time she enjoys travelling, reading, and anything outdoors!
