About Dr. Julie

AUTHOR • SPEAKER • COACH

66d0903196eb87c057337289_JD-portrait-main-550

Dr. Julie Donley has seen firsthand how connection and respect can unlock teams to do their best work and change the workplace positively for everyone.

While working with adolescents in behavioral healthcare, Julie learned that difficult behavior on the outside is a reflection of trauma and pain on the inside. After years of learning how to respond and communicate in this challenging environment, she naturally applied the same management style as a leader in business.

The effects were revelatory.

In contrast, an encounter with a toxic manager raised a big question: Was it possible for any manager to learn how to lead well?

Leaders can definitely be made

This set Dr. Julie on a path of investigation and deep learning into how to be the best leader, with a mission to help others become great leaders too.

On this journey, Dr. Julie completed a Doctorate in Organisational Leadership and an MBA. She led teams of 40+ as a Director of Nursing, authored three books and for two decades has enlightened current and future leaders through leadership training.

Advisory roles

  • Mentor for foster youth with Valley Youth House
  • HBR Advisory Council
  • Ashland University Women in Leadership Advisor
Top Coach-foundation

Accolades

  • Distinguished as one of the Top 100 thought leaders in personal leadership development by Leadership Excellence Magazine
  • Named a “Healthcare Hero” by Main Line Today
  • Recognized as one of the Top Leadership Coaches by Coach Foundation

Avid learner

She received an executive certificate in nonprofit management from Georgetown University, and is a certified diversity, group, and team coach as well as a professional certified coach with the International Coach Federation.

Her passion for understanding the importance of a leader’s impact on the workforce extended to her doctoral dissertation where she investigated the impact of factors of the psychosocial work environment on job satisfaction for behavioral healthcare workers.

ICF-PCC
Coaching-ootb-Diversity
TA_CertifiedCoach
EQ Practitioner

Dr. Donley holds multiple degrees and certifications that underscore her expertise and commitment to excellence: a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University, a Master of Business Administration from DeSales University, a Bachelor (and Associate) of Science in Nursing from Gwynedd Mercy University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Temple University.

Prolific author

Dr. Donley has written several acclaimed books, including Does Change Have to be so HARD? and The Journey Called YOU: A Roadmap to Self-Discovery and Acceptance. Her writings combine practical insights with profound personal wisdom, helping readers navigate the complexities of personal and professional growth.

Leading at the speed of people
Does change have to be so hard
The journey called you

Whether through her books, public speaking or mentoring 1-1, human-centered, conscious leadership is at the heart of Dr. Julie’s teachings.

"Julie’s ability to shape the future leaders is second to none."

Jessica Mastrangelo, MA, LPC, NCC