Julie has worked for Matrix Group Publishing for nearly three years. She started out on the sales team, where she fell in love with the industry, and has since moved into publishing. The valuable experience she gained on the sales floor enriched her with the tools necessary to support, encourage, and lead her teams whenever she launches a new magazine. She explains, “I thrive on digging into the industry and really understanding the current environment so everyone on the team knows exactly what we’re doing.” Julie instills the camaraderie and energy into her team to make the best magazine possible starting from the very first issue. She realizes every role in the company is important in making a magazine great.

“My favourite part of publishing is seeing our projects come through to fruition – starting from the very first phone call to seeing the completed, final product. Like with a new book, I love the feel and smell of a freshly printed magazine when it lands on my desk!” Julie believes very deeply in what she does and whenever there are glitches in the process, she says, “This is my baby and we have to get this right,” which ultimately, with the help of her team, happens! She takes her work to heart, and because of this, the end product is a reflection on her level of devotion to the project.

Julie’s favourite challenge is overcoming obstacles. Every job has unexpected circumstances and Julie loves to find creative means to get over those hurdles. She is fulfilled most when the President or Executive Director of an association calls her brimming with excitement about the magazine doing its job. “When I hear that the head of an association is getting calls from members saying how ecstatic they are with their new publication, and that it’s bringing new members to the association, I know my job has been done right. That’s what makes my smile brightest and helps me sleep well at night.”