About
Former: zoo and aquarium senior leader
Current: speaker, facilitator, panel moderator
Author: Wisdom from the Wild
Always: exploring outdoors
Julie C. Henry is an outdoor explorer and animal lover at heart who is continually learning and sharing leadership lessons inspired by wildlife and wild places.
A former zoo and aquarium senior leader, Julie is president of Finish Line Leadership, a strategic facilitation and panel moderation services company, and 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.
“We have seen many teammates make great strides forward in advancing their leadership potential as a direct result of Julie’s influence. Her experiential approach reinforces learning and provides our participants with much to think about, skills to apply, and strategies to use. She has an exceptional appreciation of our organizational needs.”
— Lisa Krouse, Esq., SPHR, board of directors and former chief administrative officer and executive vice president, FCCI Insurance Group