Originally from Vermont, Julia has been living and working in Buffalo for the past five years.  Julia is a second-year student in the University at Buffalo’s master of urban planning program, specializing in neighborhood planning and community development.  She received her bachelor of arts in international relations with a minor in anthropology from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School.  Rooted in Buffalo’s not-for-profit sector, Julia engages in collaborative, community-based strategies that seek to set the standard for equitable and sustainable economic development in Western New York. Julia has worked as a canvass director and project coordinator with the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) and as a development specialist with People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH Buffalo), and currently works as an organizer for grassroots development with Clean Air Coalition of Western New York.  Julia’s research and work focuses on solutions to current challenges facing Buffalo’s communities, such as development without displacement and post-industrial just transition planning.  Julia is also an ambassador with Girls Education Collaborative, a mentor with Jericho Road Community Health Center’s Priscilla Project, and a U-16 girls soccer coach with Westside International Soccer.