JULIE A. GOLDSTEIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

“At the heart of everything I do, I have asked myself, how can I be a catalyst for change? How can I utilize my education and desire to serve others to create positive change in the world?”

From a young age, my parents taught me about philanthropy and the importance of giving. I didn’t set out to become a philanthropist. Life events brought me into the philanthropic arena, and it has taken many years to embrace this part of my journey. Serving as a co-director of several family foundations has been one of the greatest gifts I have received and led me directly into learning about social impact, which now serves as a guiding principle in all my personal and professional decision making. Being philanthropically engaged has allowed me to share my gifts with others and direct my energy and financial resources to the people and places that are bettering our world. 

I did not follow a traditional path into becoming a philanthropist nor a mother. At first, I was called to teach and be outdoors. I earned an undergraduate degree at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Colorado. I led Outward Bound trips and was a classroom teacher in public and private school settings. I have also earned a Master of Arts in Contemplative Education from Naropa University, advanced level certifications in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica, and a certification as a Gyrotonics© teacher (I like being a student, too!). My professional and volunteer endeavors have ranged from teaching yoga and managing nonprofit programs to serving on boards of grassroots organizations, family foundations, an alternative independent school, and a large human rights organization.

I am an adoptive parent of a child from Wuhan, China. Adopting a child was always, it seemed, just part of my life’s unfolding. Motherhood has provided me with the inspiration and motivation to utilize my resources to be able to offer others an education that is free of bias and inequity. Through SWAHA Foundation, I aspire to educate the next generation about using their voices for justice and advocacy, and about philanthropy and privilege.

My pathways into my philanthropic work and life outside of it continue to remain diverse and based on the human connections I make along the way. My spiritual practice keeps me grounded and true to myself. Without it, I would have a hard time navigating the ups and downs of life. Traveling in my van and visiting obscure places around the globe feed my adventurous spirit and natural curiosity, as does spending as much time as possible time with my budding politically active teenager. Depending on the circumstances, I bounce between the more rustic and finer things in life. I can wear a fancy dress and attend a fundraiser, but more often I prefer being outside, reveling in nature. Making time for both is another one of those SWAHA moments, it just is!