In this interview, Chris and Khalid spoke with Julie Bowditch, the Executive Director of CASA Project Worcester County, about her background, career, and commitment to community work. Julie, raised in Fitchburg as the only biological child in a family of seven, has been deeply influenced by her experiences in foster care and adoption, driving her passion for child welfare and advocacy for vulnerable youth. She moved to Worcester in 2010 and began working at UMass Chan Medical School in 2012. Throughout her career, she has been an active supporter of local businesses and nonprofits, working to foster connections within her network. Julie’s dedication to social justice is evident in her belief that respecting others is crucial for an equitable society, particularly in Worcester. She also highlights the importance of diversification in driving future growth for the city. Julie's achievements include being named to the Worcester Business Journal’s "Power 50" in 2023 and “Power 100” in 2024, being honored as one of their “40 Under Forty” recipients in 2019 and receiving two keys to the City of Worcester. Julie emphasized the role of independent women in shaping society. The interview was conducted on October 16th, 2024, by Md Khalid Rahman and Chris Lamb, both graduate students at Clark University.
