Julie swam for four years at AU, on a team that won the conference title twice while she was on the team and then served as an assistant coach for four years while getting her law degree at The American University School of Law.
This fall, Julie was hired as the Senior Vice President for External Engagement and Communications for The Washington Football Team, and is one of the few females in the NFL to hold an executive position. One of her responsibilities is to lead for the team’s Women’s Initiative Network, which encourages women’s leadership within the organization.
Previously, she served as Chief Corporate Affairs and Communications Officer at Citadel. She also held various positions on Capitol Hill, working in senior positions on several presidential campaigns during crucial election cycles.
1. What were your best/favorite swim events?
The 200 breaststroke was by far my favorite event. I arrived at American more of a sprinter but by my junior year the 200 breaststroke was my favorite. I loved the strategy and the pacing involved. It became my best event after learning how to pace it properly!
2. Favorite AU swim memory
I am in a unique position because I both swam and coached at AU! So I have so many fond memories but many of my best memories are actually from coaching. My favorite meet as a coach was from my fourth year coaching. We had an incredible men’s team that year and they went undefeated and won the conference championship. After working with that group of swimmers for four years and knowing all of the work they put in to get there - it was incredibly satisfying to see the joy that both the men and the women shared when the men won that year. We all celebrated as one team and I still have the photo of all of us in the pool after we all got thrown in during the celebration! I was a very proud coach that day.
3. What is one thing people may not know about you?
I am from Buffalo and I swam across Lake Erie with a friend for charity. It was his idea and it was crazy. 10 miles. It was really cold!
4. How did your 4 years at AU prepare you for what you are doing today?
My four years (really 8 years!) at AU were an incredible experience and helped make me who I am today. Being a student-athlete forces you to learn how to balance and prioritize. Hard work, discipline and teamwork summarize my time at AU. I made friends for life who are still some of my best friends today. I learned what a team can do if you come together and work really hard. I learned that there is a huge world of interesting and impactful work you can do that can be just as rewarding as being a part of a team. I have used all of these lessons I learned at AU as I’ve built my career which has now led me to the Washington Football Team. I have taken jobs that push me, let me work with amazing people, require a lot of hard work, and inspire me to make a difference. I feel very fortunate to have had such an extraordinary education at AU that opened doors for me by opening my eyes to what was possible.
