Having offered years of service and expertise to Serve Virginia, Julie Strandlie recently concluded multiple terms on the Governor’s Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism (GAB). “I have thoroughly enjoyed my eight years of service on the Governor’s Advisory Board and, since 2023, as chair of the Virginia Service Foundation,” she reflects. “I was first appointed in 2015 by Governor Terry McAuliffe to an unexpired term and then reappointed twice by Governor Ralph Northam. I was also honored to serve as [GAB] Board Chair for two years.”

“I am so proud of the appointed Board and the fantastic [Serve Virginia] staff for the progress made to advance service and volunteerism in Virginia,” Julie continues. “Among many other things, I am pleased that we were able to (1) establish that volunteer board members can engage in advocacy and education outreach for both Serve Virginia and AmeriCorps, and (2) initiate regular communications with our federal, state, and local elected officials, especially site visits to our grantees and partners. Participating in site visits and service projects and hearing from program clients is, without a doubt, my favorite aspect of board service.“

An active community member and advocate, Julie has been committed to service since her childhood. “My first recollection of engaging in community service goes back to elementary school when I went door to door collecting pennies for Muscular Dystrophy and trick-or-treating for UNICEF,” she says. “I was also a Brownie and Junior Girl Scout, but sadly, there were no opportunities in my neighborhood to continue. Many years later, I was so happy to serve as a Girl Scout leader and Boy Scout volunteer.”

What will she do with her free time now that her Board service has concluded? Julie, a Virginia lawyer, plans to continue to advance K-12 civics education and engagement through Virginia Civics and her pro bono work to change laws, policies, and business practices to help society and families. She explains, “My projects, at the federal, state, and local levels, include changing federal and state laws and banking practices to protect vulnerable persons from financial scams; working with Sentara to reform hospital emergency department practices regarding the care of victims of drugged drinks (especially in college towns); and requiring our public universities to provide appropriate mental health and disability services and accommodations. I will also work with our school systems to ensure our Virginia graduating seniors know that AmeriCorps provides outstanding gap year and first-job opportunities!”

This commitment to service is also reflected in her advice for others: “Get involved! Helping each other helps us all—you too! Volunteering benefits our neighbors and community, our physical and mental health, our soul, and democracy, and fosters the common good.”