Julia Chappell’s connection to New York Women in Communications began long before she ever imagined joining the board. As a student at Hofstra University, she attended an NYWICI event featuring Joanna Coles, past Matrix Awards honoree and the editor and former chief content officer of Hearst Magazines, and the experience stayed with her. That moment of hearing Coles speak so candidly about her career planted a seed in Julia’s mind. Years later, after returning for another NYWICI event, Julia found herself once again pulled back into the infectious spirit of mentorship that comes from NYWICI. She began volunteering with the programming team, helping plan the inaugural Beverly Weinstein event focused on women in sports, a project that blended her love for storytelling and her passion for elevating women’s voices in traditionally male-dominated spaces. Over time, that volunteer role grew into deeper involvement, and today, Julia serves on the NYWICI Board and has just been named Vice President of PR, where she’ll help guide the organization’s communications strategy and future growth.

What continues to draw Julia to NYWICI is the same thing that inspired her from the start, the power of community, exposure, and representation. She remembers vividly how transformative it felt to meet women whose career paths and leadership styles showed her what was possible. A class of 2014 graduate from Hofstra University, Julia received her degree in Public Relations from the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. As a member of the Honors College, she completed six internships during her time there, spanning industries – from PR agencies, nonprofits, and even a Broadway PR firm. Julia was intentional about building a foundation she could grow from. She credits those internships, along with mentorship from professors and hands-on industry experiences, with preparing her to step confidently into the world of strategic communications.

That early exposure is one of the reasons Julia now dedicates so much of her time to NYWICI’s Rising Star programming. She works to create opportunities for young women students and professionals who might not otherwise have access to networking spaces, leading initiatives to provide mentorship for aspiring communication professionals. One standout moment for her was helping execute the Communications Career Conference at Spotify, where more than 150 attendees heard from speakers representing a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. For Julia, that level of representation isn’t just beneficial. “It’s essential for shaping the next generation of communicators.”

Professionally, Julia serves as an Executive Vice President at Hirsch Leatherwood, a role she has grown alongside since the firm’s earliest days. Her approach to leadership is grounded in curiosity, a mindset she believes is non-negotiable in an ever-changing media landscape. In the age of AI, staying abreast of emerging trends is essential to Julia. To her, staying curious is both a personal practice and a professional responsibility, it allows her to counsel clients more effectively and stay ahead in a field defined by change. She also credits NYWICI with giving her early examples of women who modeled how to build both a robust career and a fulfilling family life, showing her that “doing more” doesn’t mean sacrificing what matters most.

Her commitment to mission-driven storytelling is another thread that runs through her work. She has partnered with clients such as the New York Mets, supporting women-in-sports initiatives and community engagement efforts, and Tent for Refugees, a global organization focused on connecting refugees with employment opportunities. For Julia, these projects reaffirm what thoughtful communications can accomplish when inclusivity and meaningful storytelling align.

Julia was also recently recognized by PRWeek as one of its “Women to Watch 2025,” an honor that feels especially meaningful given the trajectory of her career. The recognition comes at a time when Hirsch Leatherwood was also named “Boutique Agency of the Year,” underscoring the impact of the work she and her team have built together.

“Advocate for yourself. Sharing your perspective is not just beneficial, it’s necessary. Diverse viewpoints help organizations think more clearly and anticipate challenges.”

One piece of advice she always offers to young women in the communications industry resonates loudly now more than ever, encouraging women to speak confidently about their ideas and contributions, even when it feels uncomfortable. One practical tool she recommends is keeping a personal “brag sheet,” a running list of accomplishments and positive feedback. It is important to always have a record of your growth and value.

Today, one of the most meaningful parts of Julia’s work is mentoring the next generation of talent, both within her team at Hirsch Leatherwood and across the NYWICI community. As she steps into her new board role, Julia is energized by the potential she sees in the year ahead. With NYWICI nearing its 100th anniversary, she views this moment as a turning point filled with opportunity. Inspired by the “butterfly effect,” Julia knows that even the smallest interactions, a conversation, an introduction, or a piece of advice, can shape someone’s confidence or career in profound ways.