Julia A. Areh, MPA

Inequity DisruptHER creating inclusive, safe & brave spaces where all folx have a valued and welcomed voice.

Julia Areh (she/her) is the CEO of Julia Areh Consulting and the creator of EquiTee365 merchandise line. She is an award-winning organization transformational professional, DEIB Champion and People Coach who is passionate about helping people learn to unlearn.  She has developed, supported, and guided teams in the non-profit, academia, and corporate sectors.

The pillars that serve as the catalysts of Julia’s expertise are people, relationships, processes, and progress. These pillars have helped her build a legacy of excellence as a change agent who helps leaders and organizations solve challenges and navigate processes. Julia’s most valuable business lesson is to always make business about the people.

This lesson served as her guiding principle in her former leadership roles as Vice President of Operations and Strategic Initiatives of the Douglas County Chamber and Campus Dean of Georgia Highlands College. She was the first woman of color to serve in both of these
leadership roles.

Some of her most significant work accomplishments include:

• Establishing the Chamber of Commerce CelebrateHER Awards Annual awards recognizing women for outstanding leadership in business, social justice, innovation &  community engagement.
• Chartering Douglas County Chamber’s DEI Advisory Council to provide advice on inclusive and equitable practices across different sectors.
• Chartering member of Georgia Highlands College’s Truth, Racial, Healing and Transformation team.
•Pioneered and facilitated the Common Ground Community Dinner organized as a critical initiative to foster collaboration and open dialogue to address vulnerable topics and situations,
• Served as a courageous conversation facilitator, DEI trainer, presenter, and speaker for several organizations.
• Instrumental in the development of framework for Georgia Highlands College’s first Equity & Inclusion Office.
• Facilitated community-wide 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge to inform about the impact of structural racial inequity.
• Conceived and implemented Reshaping the Lens of Equity series, providing an opportunity to learn about equitable best practices and strategies.

Julia is applauded for her authenticity, relatability, and her ability to connect with diverse audiences. She has been a guest speaker for organizations such as the American Business Women’s Association, Clark Atlanta University, Douglas County Government,  Rotary International, Push Thru Therapy Group and Bartow Business Women. Additionally, she has facilitated capacity building activities for the City of Douglasville, Post-Partum Support International, YMCA, Forsyth County Chamber, Douglas County Government, Equitable Dinners Atlanta and many more. Her written work has been featured in Madame Noire lifestyle magazine and she has also been featured in several media outlets (newspaper, podcast and magazine).

Julia earned a Master of Public Administration from Troy University, a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of West Georgia, and a Diversity & Inclusion certification from Cornell University. She is also a certified People Coach.

Some of Julia’s professional honors include the National Women in Leadership Association’s Outstanding Women in Leadership Award, Georgia Highlands College’s Administrator of the Year, and Douglas County Top 10 Young Professionals.

Over the years, Julia has served her community through her membership and involvement in the Douglas-Carroll- Paulding Counties Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she has co-chaired the Strategic Development and International Awareness & Involvement committees. Additionally, she served as an Advisory Board Member for United Way of Northwest Georgia, a Education Co-chair for Junior League of Douglas County and a  Board Secretary for the Douglas County Taskforce on Family Violence.

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