Julia joined the Signature Financial family in August of 2021 as an administrative assistant, coming to us with a strong background in service and hospitality. In her role, she will primarily support the executive team with projects, correspondence, day-to-day activities, and whatever else may arise. She will also be handling HR tasks, assisting with employee appreciation and relations, and helping to organize volunteer and charity work programs. Luckily for us, she enjoys a fast-paced environment and helping out wherever she’s needed. Seven years in the hospitality industry strengthened her ability to adapt to rapidly shifting priorities and tasks, creating a unique ability to anticipate needs and exceed expectations without compromising on routine projects.
She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2018 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management. Prior to that, she graduated from IUP’s Academy of Culinary Arts program, where she earned certifications in Culinary Arts and Advanced Baking & Pastry Arts.
When she’s not working, you’ll likely find Julia in the kitchen cooking dinner or baking something new with music blaring in the background, or on a lake somewhere hanging out in her kayak, camping in a forest, or hiking in the woods.
Julia grew up north of Pittsburgh in Gibsonia and now resides in Kennedy Township (McKeesRocks) with her partner.
A chat with Julia
Why did you get involved in the financial planning industry?
It wasn’t a clear path. I always studied more on the arts side of things, and with my love of food mixed with my love of customer service, I was drawn to the service industry early on. So there was a time when the finance industry never crossed my mind. I decided one day to take a leap and join this industry to increase my overall knowledge and make myself a more well-rounded individual. I’m truly excited to see where this industry takes me and what I will learn.
What do you like best about being a part of the Signature Financial Family?
Moving forward, I want to take my managing skills and further advance them, hopefully more on the HR side. What’s great about Signature is that there is room for growth and improvement, and I’m very eager to see where it takes me.
On a professional level, what are your biggest accomplishments?
Many of my greatest accomplishments thus far have been during my time in the restaurant industry. At the young age of 22, I was involved in the opening of a restaurant and café. I was giving my input and ideas, helping run, manage, and implement the philosophies of the owners. I was able to do all of this while still studying full time and finishing my bachelor’s program.
What are you passionate about in your personal life?
A lot of little things get me excited about life, really. Waking up in the morning to the smell of coffee, walking outside and seeing my sunflower plant thriving (I DO NOT have a green thumb),going on a hike and finally reaching that point where all the mountains just open up and it’s like the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen, the idea of traveling different parts of the world and being absorbed in their culture, and of course, watching my family, friends, and loved ones thrive.
What makes you personally unique?
I feel like the one thing I always love to tell people about me is my love for travel and adventure. I spent 6.5 weeks backpacking through Europe, and yes, just a backpack and random hostels every day. I traveled all over Italy, Greece (my absolute favorite), France, and Spain. It was the most eye-opening experience for me, and it felt so amazing to be just absorbed in a dozen different cultures in such a short time.
