Julie Nielsen, Ph.D.
About Julie Nielsen, Ph.D.
Julie Nielsen, Ph.D., serves as the Director at The Innovation Group at NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, focusing on racial, ethnic, and indigenous justice through transformative evaluation practices. She has extensive experience in community-based research and has held various leadership roles, including Vice Chair of the Board at Rainbow Research Inc.
Work at NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center
Julie Nielsen, Ph.D., serves as the Director at The Innovation Group within NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center. She has held this position since 2009, contributing to the organization for 15 years. In her role, she focuses on achieving racial, ethnic, and indigenous justice through self-determined and transformative change in evaluation work. Her approach emphasizes inclusivity and participation, drawing on the insights of program and clinical managers and community members.
Education and Expertise
Julie Nielsen earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development, and Evaluation Studies from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, completing her studies from 2003 to 2009. She also holds a Master's degree in Evaluation Studies from the University of Minnesota, which she obtained in 1999. Her educational background equips her with the skills necessary for community-based research and evaluation capacity-building.
Background
Before her tenure at NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, Julie Nielsen worked as an independent applied research and evaluation consultant. She also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center from 2009 to 2011. Additionally, she has been involved with Rainbow Research Inc. as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors since 2017, contributing to the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area.
Achievements
Julie Nielsen was awarded the Bush Leadership Fellowship in 2007, recognizing her commitment to leadership and community engagement. This fellowship underscores her dedication to fostering growth and excellence in her evaluation work, particularly in the context of racial and ethnic justice.