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Julie Sygiel
Director of Alumni Relations and Development
Julie Sygiel is a community builder and strategist known for creating engaging programs and membership products that unite people around shared interests and objectives.
With a background as a startup founder, published patent author, and inventive marketer, Julie possesses a knack for visualizing possibilities and transforming concepts into reality through an entrepreneurial mindset.
Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Chemical Engineering from Brown University and a Language Certificate from the School of Polish Language and Culture at Jagiellonian University.
Julie has held various key roles in renowned organizations, including Director of Alumni Relations and Development at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Founder of The Pockets Project, Entrepreneur in Residence at Brown University, and Vice President of Alum and Lifetime Membership at Girl Scouts of the USA, amongst others.
Additionally, she has contributed to Forbes as a Forbes Contributor, served as a Marketing and Business Strategy Consultant in a freelance capacity, and founded Dear Kate, where she held positions as Chief Creative Officer and CEO.
Julie's professional journey has also seen her involved in program development at Girl Scouts of the USA and atmospheric chemistry research at Harvard University, showcasing her diverse skill set and interests.
Highlights
As we say hello to 2024, I’m excited to share the news that I’ve started a new role as Director of Alumni Relations and Development at the Fashion Institute of Technology!
It was a pleasure to meet so many amazing alumni last month at the holiday parties in LA and NY. FIT truly is a supportive community of “unconventional minds.” This motto speaks to me on both a personal and professional level, with my own varied experiences in fashion, entrepreneurship, and community building. I’m thrilled to work with an incredible team that is creative, ambitious, and kind. We have big plans for the coming year and I look forward to engaging the exceptional FIT alumni community!
I’m excited to share that I’m an Entrepreneur in Residence at Brown University's Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship this summer! It’s been a joy these past few weeks to mentor teams in the B Lab accelerator program. Being an entrepreneur isn’t for the faint of heart and I love cheering on founders in the early stages.
These teams are taking on interesting and meaningful challenges such as figuring out your life’s purpose, finding close friends, meeting your soul-mate, and expressing yourself through art. If you’d like to get involved, shoot me a note! We’re always looking for great mentors to be a resource for current students.
I’m also thrilled to serve as an advisor for Columbia Business School’s Summer Startup Track. Yesterday I moderated a group discussion with six peers sharing their latest win, challenge, and ask. The conversation was a great reminder that leaning on fellow founders for advice through the ups and downs of startup life is incredibly helpful and inspiring.
