Julie Kenny Drezner, Principal Consultant

One of the more experienced consultants in the philanthropic field, Julie Drezner's expertise is grounded in nearly three decades of practice in a full range of roles in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors: grantmaker, program administrator, executive director, board member, consultant and trainer.

As program director of The California Wellness Foundation, Julie managed a $30 million annual grants program focusing on disease prevention and health promotion. For seven years she served as program officer for The James Irvine Foundation, and previously worked for the Washington DC-based Center for Community Change, providing technical assistance to grassroots community groups in low-income and minority communities. She also directed an inner-city neighborhood organization in San Diego.

Julie is active in numerous philanthropic organizations. She has served as board member of the Los Angeles Women's Foundation and the Women & Foundation/Corporate Philanthropy; as the chair of the Local Initiative Support Corporation's Southern California Advisory Committee; and as a member of the Neighborhood Funders Group Steering Committee, the Southern California Association for Philanthropy; Grantmakers in Health; Grantmakers for Children, Youth, and Families; and the National Network of Grantmakers. She has been the keynote speaker and presenter at numerous conferences and seminars covering contemporary issues relevant to grantmaking, nonprofit management, and community development. She is past editor of Grantmaking Fundamentals and created the annual "Fundamentals Session for New Grantmakers," an educational program sponsored by the Council on Foundations. Julie holds a Master's in Social Work with a specialty in organizational development and social change strategies. She lives in the Los Angeles area.

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