2025 40 Under 40 Winners

Julia has raised more than $9 million through her work with the Norton Healthcare and Norton Children's Hospital Foundations, helping introduce hundreds of thousands of new donors through her events and campaigns. She led the "Win a House, Help a Child" Home & BMW Raffle, raising over $4 million to support nearly every service line at Norton Children's Hospital, and regularly serves as a media spokesperson to promote the initiative. 

Additionally, she played a key role in fundraising for Norton West Louisville Hospital, the first hospital to open west of Ninth Street in more than 150 years, which directly addresses healthcare access in historically underserved communities.  

Julia was named the 2024 Emerging Leader in Philanthropy by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Louisville Chapter, recognizing her excellence and leadership in the field.  

My journey into healthcare philanthropy started initially with an introduction to events. I began as an event planner, primarily golf outings, with a focus on hospitality. My hospitality and golf career evolved into working at Norton Healthcare as a coordinator of foundation events. My projects soon turned into passions, and the mission of Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s Hospital has been the guiding light in this crazy world.  The stories that donors on the golf course shared eventually became my story.  We all know someone affected by cancer, by an outstanding nurse or someone that has benefited from a clinical trial – all made possible by the funds our foundation raises. My previous experience in the hospitality industry and event planning helped me transition into healthcare philanthropy with a donor centered mindset and a desire to make a lasting impact through my events.

Ultimately, I didn’t choose a field in healthcare philanthropy a decade ago, but I am honored that I get to choose this field every day. The impact we can create as healthcare philanthropists is at the heart of what we do. I chose this field because there is a tangible impact. Daily, our foundation and healthcare philanthropist all over are fulfilling the needs of our community.

A pivotal point in my career was also one of the most pivotal points in my life. In December 2017, a couple years into my career, my unborn child was diagnosed with a life-limiting disease. I walked back to my office in the hospital and my Chief Development Officer immediately got me connected with families, physicians, and support systems. In those moments, I felt in the depths of my soul the true impact that we make as healthcare philanthropists. The medical equipment we fund, the endowed chairs that we secure, the nurses that we help send to conferences make the world a better place. They make an impact on our communities, our facilities, our patients, and my family.  My daughter’s diagnosis shifted my perspective on the work we do and brought a new level of empathy and drive to my career.

My greatest passion is caretaking for others. From my family to my community, I believe that I was called to serve others, and I have a genuine desire to be helpful regardless of circumstances. I think this trait comes from my mother who has a servant heart and with humility she has dedicated her life to those less fortunate. Setting the standard for quality work with a caring heart is a beacon in my work-life and at home.

Listen to donors, listen to patients and listen to the community. 

Say yes to new learning opportunities, say yes to opportunities to engage with clinicians and say yes to a mentor that wants to guide you.

Healthcare philanthropy at times brings great uncertainty—use the stories and lessons you collect as inspiration for your work.