Lotus is pleased to welcome Julie Paul as our Raleigh Program Director, responsible for the continued growth of our Landlord Participation Program in our second market. She directs and manages our program responsible for facilitating housing for sponsored residents. She also supports related key initiatives in the region. Prior to Lotus, Julie served as the Associate Director and MBA Real Estate Lead at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, guiding MBA students from recruitment to graduation. She held a business development and commercial broker role with York Properties and is the former Executive Director of the Urban Land Institute’s Triangle District Council. Julie holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA from the University of Southern California. To share more about Julie with partners and supporters like you, we sat down to ask a few short questions.

Did you always dream of this profession or what was what you actually wanted to be growing up?

Like many children, I wanted to be a veterinarian or marine biologist.  That didn’t work out.

What was the first thing that compelled you about Lotus?  

The mission and wanting to be part of a very cost-effective solution.

What do you think people don't understand about homelessness?  

You can work full-time in this country and still be unable to find an affordable place to live.

What makes the Triangle a particularly vibrant place for Lotus to implement its Landlord Participation Program model?

The Triangle is growing rapidly, causing housing shortages, but it’s also full of citizens who really care about their community and want everyone to benefit from our economic strength.  I think it’s a perfect place to expand Lotus and I look forward to sharing our program.

What's a book everyone should read?  

Oh gosh – that’s a hard one.  I’ve read a lot of great books.  I’m reading “Excluded” right now which illustrates how our zoning laws have resulted in a very segregated, unequal society.

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