Julie Foster

About Julie Foster

The Lorax was my favorite Dr. Seuss book growing up, and the heartbreak I felt for the Truffula trees being chopped down sparked a lifelong passion for protecting nature.I’ve spent my career advancing forest conservation, climate action, and nature-based solutions through roles at American Forests, 1t.org US (a World Economic Forum initiative), and the Nature Conservancy. I’ve led cross-sector coalitions, built public–private partnerships, and helped design strategies that align science, policy, and conservation finance to drive measurable impact.The Lorax ends with the last Truffula seed and a charge: “Treat it with care. Give it clean water. Feed it fresh air.” That message still guides me.How I work1⃣ I love tackling complex problems with systems thinking, seeing the big picture, finding leverage points, and turning ambitious ideas into clear strategies that drive real-world impact.2⃣ I’m goal-oriented and data-driven, motivated by defining success in ways that matter: setting metrics that count and following through until results are achieved.3⃣ I’m a connector who enjoys bringing together funders, scientists, policymakers, and marketers to align around shared goals and create solutions that last.4⃣ I’m fluent in both “tech and exec” and I\'m comfortable bridging policy, strategy, and communications teams to translate ideas across disciplines and keep collaboration moving smoothly.\",\'.\"- Focus Areas: Forest Conservation | Climate Policy | Conservation Finance | Natural Climate Solutions (NCS)| Partnerships | Nature-Based Solutions | Strategic Communications | Sustainability | Policy Innovation

Experience

1. Senior Strategy Manager

   American Forests

   May 2022 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Lead cross-sector strategy for the U.S. Chapter of 1t.org, a World Economic Forum initiative supporting the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. I connect government, corporate, and nonprofit partners to align investment, policy, and implementation for forest and climate impact.Key Achievements:• Shaped national strategy for the U.S. forest restoration movement by aligning 100+ member organizations on measurable impact goals.• Authored and produced the first 1t.org U.S. Impact Report, translating data from 40+ partners into an evidence-based framework aligned with IUCN and SBTi standards.• Designed and led national nationals Summits bringing together 150+ participants and leadership dialogues at Climate Week NYC, convening 70+ leaders from corporations, governments, and NGOs to advance restoration finance and policy.• Developed a stakeholder engagement platform (CRM) connecting 800+ partners, improving collaboration, accountability, and reporting.

Education

• University of California, Santa Cruz

  Bachelor of Arts (BA), Environmental Studies

Skills

• Event Planning
• Social Networking
• Social Media Marketing
• Project Planning
• Microsoft Office
• Public Speaking
• Editing
• Public Relations
• Collaborative Leadership
• Fundraising
• Fiscal Tracking
• Powerpoint
• Teaching
• Time Management
• Nonprofits
• Community Outreach
• Public Policy
• Social Media
• Grassroots Organizing
• Grant Writing
• Leadership
• Customer Service
• Sustainability
• Logistics
• Volunteer Management
• Organizational Development
• Sustainable Transportation