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Alumni Spotlight | December Feature: Julia Deans

Writer's picture: OLIP InternsOLIP Interns

Updated: Jan 16

In December, the interns had the opportunity to meet with OLIP alum, Julia Deans. Julia was in the OLIP cohort of 1985-1986 and has since enjoyed an extensive and interesting career journey.  


Julia holds a BA in Political Science from Queen’s University, an MPA from Columbia University, and a JD in Law from Osgoode Hall Law School. Following her law degree, she pursued an impressive career which spans across various sectors. Julia worked as a lawyer with Tory’s LLP before becoming a Managing Consultant at QD Legal and TMP Worldwide Singapore. She then transitioned into the non-profit sector, serving in roles such as CEO of CivicAction, CEO of Futurpreneur Canada, founding CEO of the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation, and CEO for Habitat for Humanity Canada. After working at Habitat for Humanity Canada for four years, where her leadership was greatly applauded, she decided to step down in June 2024. Julia continues to be active in the community, serving on the boards of InvestEco, Canada Post Community Foundation, United for Literacy, and as Governance Committee Chair of the Vancity Community Investment Bank Board. Along with these board positions, Julia is an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces.  

During our meeting with Julia, she offered insights into what she refers to as her “somewhat unusual and cross-sectoral career path,” providing interns with new perspectives on the diverse opportunities available to us after OLIP. We appreciated the candid conversation around Julia’s decision to attend law school, practice law internationally, and transition to the non-profit sector.  


As well, Julia discussed the importance of mentorship based on her own experience, and how to both prioritize and foster these relationships during our time in OLIP. As a volunteer mentor this year through our OLIP Alumni Mentorship Program, Julia expressed that “it's always invigorating to meet a new intern and hear about their experience,” reflecting that “it brings back a lot of memories but also admiration at how the program has endured and grown.” It was fascinating for us to learn about how the programme has evolved over time, but also the consistent opportunities for non-partisan learning that OLIP offers. When asked about what advice she would give to the current interns, Julia explained “the people you meet this year will be helpful to you for the rest of your career/life as employers, advocates, allies and friends. Take the time to build your relationships and to tend them after the internship year.” This is advice that we all took to heart! 


Julia recommends the book Devil in the White City by Eric Larsen, which considers how the “extraordinary city builder Daniel Burnham brought to life - against all odds - the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, and the equally brilliant but maniacal serial killer who was operating in Chicago at the same time.” This book can be enjoyed with a latte from Coffee Island at Bay and Wellesley, right by the Ontario Legislature, which Julia describes as “top notch”!  

We are so grateful for Julia’s generosity with her time and advice. It is inspiring to see the many incredible possibilities that can follow OLIP and to speak with such established and experienced alumni who were once in our position. Thank you, Julia, for sharing your insights and recommendations!  




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