Based In
Bellevue, WA · Available Nationwide & International
Formats
Keynote · Panel · Fireside Chat · Workshop
Booking Contact
Rebecca Proulx · Fortier PR
Availability
Select dates in 2026 · Inquire early
Speaker Bios
Use these as-is for program books, website listings, and event materials. Each is written for a general business audience.
One-Liner
Former Global CIO of lululemon, author of Chief Impact Officer, and one of the few speakers who can make AI transformation feel both urgent and doable.
Short Bio · 75 words
Julie Averill is the author of Chief Impact Officer and founder of Gold Thread LLC. As Global CIO of lululemon, she led the technology transformation that scaled the company from $2B to over $10B in revenue. She advises boards and CEOs at the intersection of AI strategy and organizational readiness, and serves as Independent Director at multiple companies. She lives in Bellevue, Washington, with her wife Cindy.
Long Bio · 150 words
Julie Averill spent nearly three decades proving that culture isn't soft — it's the infrastructure that determines whether transformation succeeds or fails. As Global CIO and EVP at lululemon, she led an eight-year transformation that grew the company from $2B to over $10B in revenue while building world-class technology teams across the U.S., Canada, China, and India. She won NASSCOM's AI Game Changer Award in 2024 for building lululemon's India Tech Hub with nearly 50% women engineers. Prior to lululemon, she served as the first CIO of REI and held senior technology roles at Nordstrom. Today, through Gold Thread LLC, she advises boards, CEOs, and founders on AI strategy and organizational transformation, and serves as Independent Director at INDOCHINO and the University of Washington iSchool. Her debut book, Chief Impact Officer, is out now from 8080 Books / Simon & Schuster.
Assets
Headshot · High Resolution
Professional headshot cleared for print and digital use. JPEG, 300dpi.
DownloadBook Cover · Chief Impact Officer
High-resolution book cover for event materials, website listings, and program books.
DownloadSpeaker Reel
Full reel coming soon. In the meantime, watch Julie on TV: KING 5's New Day Northwest (NBC Seattle).
Watch the InterviewFor Media
Starting points for hosts and producers — Julie is happy to go anywhere the conversation leads.
QWhat does "Chief Impact Officer" mean, and why did you write this book now?
QYou scaled lululemon from $2B to $10B. What was the hardest part that had nothing to do with technology?
QHow does being a gay woman in technology change the way you lead?
QWhat do most leaders get wrong about AI transformation?
QYou adopted your son Ermias from Ethiopia. How does that experience show up in your leadership?
QWhat's the one thing you wish someone had told you earlier in your career?
Press inquiries
For interview requests, review copies, or additional assets, contact Rebecca Proulx at Fortier PR — rebecca@fortierpr.com — or reach Julie directly via LinkedIn.
Booking Inquiries
Use the form or reach out directly. I read every message and respond within 24–48 hours.
Direct Booking
Formats Available
Keynote · Panel · Fireside Chat · Workshop · Virtual
Full Speaking Page
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Thank you — I'll be in touch within 24–48 hours.
