Q&A with Julianne Waite

DG+Design is excited to welcome Julianne Waite to the team as Marketing Manager, Clean Energy! Julianne leads marketing strategy and implementation at DG+ for a variety of clients across clean energy and vehicle electrification. She is an accomplished marketing, communications, and digital strategy professional with nearly eight years of experience helping environmental nonprofits and mission-driven businesses grow their presence both online and offline.

Kathleen Gill recently interviewed Julianne to learn more about her. Check out her answers below.

GET TO KNOW JULIANNE

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in San Diego and moved to Santa Cruz for college. I fell in love with Santa Cruz and made it my home for many years after graduation, but I’m just about to make a big move to Los Angeles.

My career has been varied. I’ve taught hands-on environmental science, worked as a technical writer, driven marketing initiatives for sustainable brands, and most recently headed marketing at a nonprofit. But there has always been an environmental thread running through all of it. I love biology, but was never driven to become a scientist. However, I am a good communicator and I enjoy delivering complex technical concepts in an accessible way.

Why did you join DG+ and how do you hope to make an impact for our clients?

Most compelling for me is working in an innovative space that makes the world a better place. I’m also excited to have the opportunity at DG+ to work and collaborate with a bunch of different players in the energy and environmental industry.

I like playing a “connector” role in the technical space. There are a lot of companies developing incredibly innovative technologies, but it’s not always easy for them to effectively communicate what they actually do or why people should care. I’m looking forward to helping my DG+ clients get their messages out and tell their stories to their intended audiences. I can help them take a step back and revisit their roots.

What do you hope to accomplish or learn?

The main goal for me is to be part of a better future. Like a lot of people my age of my generation, I’m a very forward-thinking person and I think it’s important that we consider our places in the future. I’m most interested in how I can apply my existing skills and talents to support this goal. I know I’m not going to be the one to solve the climate crisis, but if I can help the innovators who are developing game-changing solutions that get us there, I’m more than happy with that.

What are some of your favorite sources of inspiration?

I’m a huge people person; personal relationships make me happy and thrive. I do need downtime, but I get excited hearing other people’s stories and passions. I have a lot of fun getting to know others, even when it seems like we might not have a lot in common.

I am also incredibly inspired by nature, and not only for what that it offers in terms of activity and adventure (which is tremendous). I also love what nature can teach us about ourselves, the world, and our place within it. I have always enjoyed biology and I studied physical/biological anthropology in college. So for me part of the joy of nature is the reminder of our deep evolutionary past and our intimate connection to every living thing.

And, of course, I am constantly inspired by my adorable dog Mia, who is currently snoring next to me, and who appreciates life’s simplest pleasures, like sunbathing and belly rubs.

If the world were not experiencing a global pandemic, where would you want to travel next? Why?

New Zealand is top of the list. I’d like to loop in Australia as well – one of my best friends from college is living there. She and her partner started a taco and margarita truck, and I’d love to see her and try her tacos!

Tell us something fun or maybe unexpected about yourself.

I’m not sure why but people seem surprised to learn that I love to box. Besides the physical element, I enjoy the diverse, welcoming community at my gym. The people there are really supportive and non-judgmental.

Here’s another fun fact that people get a kick out of: when I was 16 I had a pet sugar glider, which is kind of like a flying squirrel. His name was Copernicus and my high school boyfriend had his brother, Cassius. As marsupials who were raised in their mother’s pouch, they like to be cozy in confined spaces, so I’d bring Copernicus to school with me tucked in the hood or front pocket of my sweatshirt. Thankfully sugar gliders are nocturnal so he never really acted up in class.