Julie has worked with animals her entire life and has been involved in the zoological profession for more than 15 years. She has a broad background of experience in both marine and terrestrial animals with some of the nations leading organizations including: the Shedd Aquarium, Chicago Zoological Society's Brookfield Zoo, the Washington National Zoo, the Virginia Aquarium and the Virginia Zoo.
Julie's animal care and management experiences are unique and diverse. These include extensive husbandry and behavioral training with exotic cats, wolves, elephants, seals and sea lions, birds of prey, rhinos, giraffes, otters, and hippos.

Julie has also held senior leadership positions as the Curator of Exhibit Development for the Virginia Aquarium and the Director of Education for the Virginia Zoo. Likewise she has worked at the international level with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums as part of their Conservation Education Committee, which develops and institutes numerous conservation initiatives throughout the zoological community.