Get to know our Transformative Philanthropy Keynote Speaker, Julie Henry. A skilled facilitator, consultant and dynamic keynote speaker, Julie brings 20 years of experience to her global clients through Finish Line Leadership - a company dedicated to helping leaders influence change and make it stick. She knows what it takes to get across the finish line, both personally and professionally, and values embracing the inevitable change and challenges faced along the way. 

What qualities in a leader are important in a world that is continually transforming?

Leaders who lead with respect and recognition for past organizational success in balance with a willingness to take risks and try new things will succeed in this fast paced world. It requires surrounding yourself with people who understand that accomplishing the mission and making an impact may, at times, look different than it has in the past but can be exciting and revolutionary. 

Could you share an experience you had working with a nonprofit that really impacted your thinking?

I recently led the Seattle Aquarium through a 6-month process to identify a new vision and direction for their conservation work. For this to succeed, it was imperative that we acknowledged past success and built off of this solid foundation rather than frame the process as if we were starting over. Many members of the staff have spent many years dedicated to learning about the animals and habitats of the ocean and teaching people how to keep them safe. I facilitated a two-day off-site meeting to really dig into what the vision and impact could be. It was exciting yet exhausting work, full of passionate ideas and commitment, but by the end of the first day, I could feel the breakthrough start to happen. One by one, I watched each person in the room as their what ifs started to coalesce, the energy started to rise and smiles broke out until they collectively came to one strong, unified idea.

The following night I attended a fundraiser for the Aquarium. The CEO approached me and apologized that he had to be out of town. He didn't know the actual outcome of our work at that point but a long-serving member of his team had come into his office in tears because she felt like they had rediscovered the reason they had been working so hard for so many years. 

I will never forget standing in the Aquarium, surrounded by octopus, sea stars and rockfish, watching the CEO's face light up as he talked. His excitement was palpable and I knew that he truly valued his people and how they worked together for collective positive impact on the ocean. Of all the organizations I work with, nonprofits are near and dear to my heart because people are driven by their passion for the mission and desperately want to make a difference. This is what makes change both so challenging and so integral to nonprofit success.

Tickets for SB2 Transformative Philanthropy are $45/per person, which includes a mouth-watering plated lunch provided by The Francis. Reserve your spot online at SRQSB2.COM

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