Alison Dunlap Photography

Julie Dees, CEO Family Service Association of Bucks County

At one time in her life, Julie Dees was a single mom with two kids who had to make heart wrenching choices to pay for food or other bills.  Thankfully, she had a support system – friends, family, and a church community that helped to bridge the gap but she was acutely aware of the fact that not everyone has that safety net.  Years later, after earning a Master’s Degree in Psychology, becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and adding an MBA to her credentials she never forgot the needs of others.  When the opportunity to join the leadership team of Family Service Association of Bucks County, she “felt compelled to join.”

We asked Julie:

What initiative in your organization makes you the proudest?

Julie responded by describing the Harm Reduction Approach at Family Service.

I am extremely proud of the work Family Service is doing to advance Harm Reduction as a philosophy of care across all our programs and to bring this model of care into the mainstream throughout Bucks County. With the help of funding from the County, we recently launched a Street Medicine program that will take physical health, mental health, and social supports into the community to help people experiencing homelessness literally wherever they are. …we are already seeing how providing this low barrier, respectful, and comprehensive service is changing the lives of our neighbors in need.

What surprised you the most in your organization’s history, pleasantly or unpleasantly?

As a member of the LGBTQI+ community, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values I hold and work to advance. I was so pleasantly surprised to learn that our legacy CEO, Audrey Tucker, held these values near as well and successfully implemented many practices years ago (long before it was called harm reduction or DE&I). For example, our HIV/AIDS programs, which for years has provided safer sex tools and education, encouraged HIV testing, and even lobbied to redefine “family” to bring the utmost respect and acceptance to our clients.

What advice would you share for any woman looking to start or join an organization such as yours?

I would say find your tribe, know your values, take risks, and most importantly, be authentic. Julie admits that her path to CEO was not a direct path but that the journey made her stronger.  Putting the pieces of the puzzle together as you go, and pivoting when you need to pivot, is a totally acceptable way to forge your path!

We asked her a few fun questions, too:

As a working woman, what is the one organizational tool that you can’t live without?  

My wife and my senior executive team. I am 100% serious. This goes back to what I said about finding your tribe. Surrounding myself with exceptional people, who challenge me, support me, and value me keeps me organized and driven. I couldn’t do it without them and I wouldn’t want to!

The best piece of advice that a mentor gave to you …could be anyone in your life or on any subject? 

Not exactly a piece of advice, but something I’ve identified with over the years, almost as a mantra, when things got tough, “It’s supposed to be hard. If it were easy, everyone would do it. It’s the hard that makes it great.” – A League of Their Own.