Julia Olree

Background

I graduated with a mechanical engineering degree in Michigan, not far from the Motor City, and it was a natural step to embark on a career in the automotive world. My first job was a technical role working with an automotive manufacturer and I gradually realized it was not for me. I was a curious learner and continually migrated into vastly different roles, still with automotive, spanning market research, product launch, vehicle fleet logistics, branded merchandise product development, e-commerce business, and mergers & acquisitions strategy development.

After 20+ years of working in the automotive industry and ready to make a career switch, I partnered with a Career Coach and completely pivoted my career, embarking on an entirely new path running a luxury winery in the Virginia countryside. A winery my husband and I were members of for many years and that I deeply admired. The notion that I could leap from automotive to wine and successfully manage a business I knew virtually nothing about and love the experience was something I never even dreamed possible. It was something that a Career Coach encouraged me to envision which ultimately led me to act.

Throughout my tenure in both the automotive and winery industries, I discovered my entrepreneurial passion –  my “what do we want to do? Okay let’s go do it” start-up mentality. I thrive in that mindset, fueled by an internal energy I can’t put my finger on. Here at CWG, my ever-evolving role allows me to play in this space.

I live in Arlington with my amazing husband and daughter. When I’m not spending time with my family, you’ll find me reading historical fiction and mystery novels, trying out new recipes with varying results, planning family vacations, and volunteering on the board of my daughter’s gymnastics team booster organization.