Over a career spanning almost two decades, Julia has experience in virtually every aspect of commercial real estate, with the majority of that time spent as outside counsel for developers, lenders and investors.  Having worked with VanTrust since its founding, Julia now serves as Chief Operating Officer, driving the company’s strategic plans and daily operations, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate win-win relationships and overseeing  internal department heads and supervisors to maintain company culture and support employees’ daily activities.

Prior to rejoining VanTrust in 2023, Julia was a partner at an international law firm, leading its Kansas City real estate practice. In her prior role as outside counsel and now in-house, Julia works across all operations of the business, from acquisitions and dispositions, leasing and asset management, and design and construction matters, to joint ventures and strategic partnerships and construction and permanent financings.

Julia holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Business and Political Science from Baker University as well as a Juris Doctorate from The University of Texas School of Law and is a LEED Accredited Professional. She is a member of the State Bars of Kansas, Missouri and Texas, as well as the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), and the Urban Land Institute (ULI).