About

Former: zoo and aquarium senior leader

Current: speaker, facilitator, panel moderator

Author: Wisdom from the Wild and Wisdom from the Wild for Youth Leaders (coming in 2025!)

Always: exploring outdoors

Julie C. Henry is an ocean girl at heart and a mountain girl in spirit who is continually learning and sharing leadership lessons inspired by wildlife and wild places.

A former zoo and aquarium senior leader, Julie has worked with over fifty-five organizations across corporate, nonprofit, government, association, and community sectors. She holds Bachelor of Science degrees in both zoology and education (Miami University of Ohio), a Master of Arts in communication (University of South Florida), a Postgraduate Diploma in outdoor education (University of Otago - New Zealand), an Executive Program Certificate in Sustainable Business Leadership (Green Mountain College), and completed graduate coursework in winter ecology in Grand Teton National Park (Teton Science School). She was selected as a Fellow of the Toyota TogetherGreen program of the National Audubon Society, chosen for the Disney’s Animal Kingdom/World Wildlife Fund Biodiversity Leadership Institute, and a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar to New Zealand.

Julie has presented to over one million people across thirty-two states and six countries, in on-site and online settings ranging from auditoriums and ballrooms to boats, beaches, forests, theaters, boardrooms, and even underwater while feeding sharks and moray eels. She has yet to see a wolf in the wild, snorkel with whale sharks, or visit Antarctica, but continues to dream about those moments!

She lives in Sarasota, Florida, with her two children, whom she lovingly describes as her “zoo animal” and her “wild animal” due to each child’s natural inclination toward life.

“There has never been a better time to follow Julie on a journey through the wild to change the way you view the world. Julie’s advice and insights show leaders how to re-connect with nature to inspire employees and drive innovation in the workplace. Julie’s passion for unusual creatures and vibrant outdoor spaces is embedded in her DNA, and these leadership lessons are an absolute gift to be treasured and shared as you hike through life’s challenges and opportunities.”
- Cathy Chambers, senior corporate leader

Clients

    • Busch Gardens

    • SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment

    • Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

    • Aquarium of the Pacific

    • Aquarium Conservation Partnership

    • Brevard Zoo

    • Indianapolis Zoo

    • Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

    • Mystic Aquarium

    • New Zealand Marine Studies Centre Aquarium

    • Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

    • Seattle Aquarium

    • The Florida Aquarium

    • The Marine Mammal Center

    • Zoo New England

    • American Academy of Certified Public Managers (AACPM)

    • American Business Women’s Association (ABWA)

    • Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC)

    • Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)

    • Florida Collectors Association (FCA)

    • Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)

    • National Association for Interpretation (NAI)

    • National Marine Educators Association (NMEA)

    • North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)

    • Sarasota-Manatee Human Resources Association (SHRA)

    • Sports Events and Tourism Association

    • Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

    • Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance (LWRBA)

    • Manatee Chamber of Commerce

    • Consortium for Ocean Leadership

    • European Centre for Environment and Human Health

    • Florida Master Naturalist Program

    • International Ocean Institute

    • Ocean CREST Alliance

    • ReShark

    • Sustainable Florida

    • Sustainable Sarasota

    • Mercy College

    • Natural Start Alliance

    • Regional Ocean Conference for Students

    • Sarasota Christian School

    • University of South Florida

    • University of Tampa

    • Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

    • Bank of America

    • Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program

    • Maryland Sea Grant

    • National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS)

    • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

    • Sarasota County Green Business Partnership

    • Sarasota County Tax Collector

    • down2earth

    • Nellie’s Deli

    • FCCI Insurance Group

    • Zenith Insurance Company

    • Cabot Corporation

    • Lhoist North America

    • Nabisco

    • pep

    • SRQ Media

    • Kappa Kappa Gamma

    • Kesem