Julie initiated the Together for Taft movement and is leading it with vision, transparency, tenacity, playfulness and extraordinary networking skills. Her spiritual calling is deeply connected to the environment and her commitment to integrity, diplomacy, and community collaboration has become the heartbeat of this mission. 

With over 30 years of experience working with educators, communities and curriculum development including more than two decades as an elementary teacher in the Dekalb School District. Julie brings both depth and real-world insight to her work. She holds a master’s degree in environmental sustainability with an emphasis on curriculum and design. grounding her leadership in both academic knowledge and practical application.

Her connection to Lorado Taft goes back even further, as she-first experienced the magic of the campus as an undergraduate student, where the beauty of the land and the spirit of the place left a lasting impression. That early connection planted a seed which would eventually grow into the vision for Together for Taft, linking her personal history to the future she now works to create. 

Julie is known for her ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and authenticity, helping diverse groups find common ground and move forward with shared purpose. She has served as a guest speaker across diverse settings and has been featured on NPR as well as radio and television.

Julie overseas the overall creative vision and development of educational programs at Lorado Taft, integrating environmental sustainability, intergenerational learning, and community engagement. As lead educator, she designs and facilitates transformative learning experiences that inspire a connection with nature.

Email Julie Roloff-Bassett