Julie grew up in Blacksburg, Virginia. While working on her master’s degree in public health from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., Julie was awarded a fellowship in Eldoret, Kenya, where she designed and conducted a qualitative research study that collected Kenyan mothers’ opinions of and experiences with postpartum family planning. After graduating, Julie worked as a contractor for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and most recently worked for John Snow, Inc. on the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP). At MCHIP, Julie collaborated with the ?Immunization Team and multiple country programs in East and Southern Africa and Central Asia. She obtained her undergraduate degree in biology and sociology from Virginia Tech. In her undergraduate years, Julie was involved with Project Esperanza, an organization that works with Haitian immigrants living in the Dominican Republic. Julie enjoys running, cheering on the Virginia Tech Hokies and spending time with her family and friends.