Julie has 20 years of experience in the communications field, with a career spanning corporate communications, media relations, corporate branding and investor relations. She has worked with Brazer Communications since 2011 doing specialized work for the firm’s health care clients.

Julie founded Rathbun Communications in 2004 to provide public and investor relations services to companies in the health sciences arena, including public and privately held biotechnology companies and non-profit organizations. Her targeted and strategic efforts have helped companies convey complex medical and scientific concepts to a range of audiences, develop consistent messaging platforms and outreach campaigns and establish relationships within the financial community. Clients have included Oncothyreon, Poniard Pharmaceuticals, AVI BioPharma, Nastech Pharmaceuticals (public biotechnology & specialty pharma); Calistoga Pharmaceuticals, VLST Corporation, VentiRx Pharmaceuticals, AnaptysBio, Cerevast Therapeutics (private biotechnology & medical device); and The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics and Spondylitis Association (non-profit).

Julie’s activities have included directing rebranding/renaming campaigns for Poniard (formerly NeoRx) and Oncothyreon (formerly Biomira). She has developed a variety of communications materials, from corporate fact sheets and press releases to websites and presentations, and managed investor targeting and outreach programs. At Calistoga (acquired by Gilead Sciences for $375 million in April 2011), Julie directed a comprehensive public relations and investor relations campaign that included investor targeting and roadshows, planning and coordination of company-sponsored investor events and branding and creation of corporate communications materials including presentations and corporate website and press releases.

From 1999 to 2003, Julie worked for Dendreon Corporation, a biotechnology company focused on the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines.  At Dendreon, Julie managed all public and investor relations activities, leading the Company’s investor activities through its initial public offering and subsequent financings and helping to direct clinical trial recruitment programs and corporate and product branding campaigns.

Prior to Dendreon, Julie worked in media relations for the University of Washington's Health Sciences and Medical Affairs Department, handling media outreach and communications for the Medical School, Dental School and School of Public Health.

Julie started her career in the journalism field, serving as a bureau chief and reporter for several daily newspapers in Washington State. She has worked as a contributing editor and copy editor for the Seattle Press community newspaper and a freelance writer for numerous regional publications including Northwest Health Magazine, Alaska Airlines Magazine and The Seattle Times. Julie earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Western Washington University.