Hi, I’m Julie.

I’ve got a deep passion for developing progressive public policy and building community projects - and I find special purpose in building great teams to make it all happen.

I’ve spent over a decade driving good public policy, good governance and good politics in municipal government - most recently as the Chief of Staff to former Edmonton mayor Don Iveson.

Today, I’m focused on navigating the complexities of government, the not-for-profit sector, and industry to create healthy, climate-friendly and affordable lives for my neighbours across Canada.

Read more about me here.

What I do

Since 2022, Julianna Charchun Consulting Inc. has offered services and counsel focused on public affairs, public policy development, facilitation and team management/development.

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  • I can help to strategize through any complex issue - including advocating to government (especially local government), or leverage my unique network of Canada’s mayors, chiefs of staff, and councillors from across Canada.

  • I love thinking about how to push the boundaries of public policy - especially when it comes to housing, transportation/transit, climate adaptation/mitigation, economic development, or any other local or regional policy issue!

  • Having spent 12 years in Edmonton city hall - working in governance, intergovernmental affairs and as the Chief of Staff to the mayor, I have a unique understanding of the players and the game - both on city council and in administration. Let me put my unorthodox knowledge to work for you.

  • From interim management support to guidance in improving how your team collaborates and delivers, I’ll bring an objective perspective to achieve dream team status.

  • I can help you plan a multi-day retreat, an hour-long meeting or anything in between. Not matter what, I will help you achieve the goals you’ve got in mind and navigate tricky conversations too.

Facilitating one of many sessions held across Canada, on behalf of the Canadian Urban Transit Association. Most of my sessions focused on regional collaboration/integration, performance-based allocation of federal government grants, and special policy agreements. (Toronto Metropolitan University, June 2023).

Feature Clients & Projects

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‘Housing is on the line: How public transit can help tackle the housing crisis’ report (Canadian Urban Transit Association, Toronto, ON)

Feature project: Supported the policy development, facilitation across Canada, and drafting of ‘Housing is on the line: How public transit can help tackle Canada’s housing crisis’ - a report launched October 2023 at the press gallery in Ottawa- including 17 unique recommendations on the necessity to plan transit and housing together in order to address the two biggest cost-drivers for Canadians - transportation and accommodation - while also taking necessary climate action.

English

French

Nice things other people have said about me.

  • I've had the privilege of knowing Julie for nearly 20 years, and of working closely with her for most of the last decade. To be right hand to the mayor of a major Canadian city requires the ability to hold huge complexity as well as multiple confidences, and to synthesize that complexity and provide thoughtful advice. It also requires getting the most out of a team, and supporting people working very hard under often gruelling circumstances with compassion and developmental support. Julie is uncommonly skilled at building relationships based on integrity, constructive collaboration and a desire to drive positive change. Julie leads with care, not ego, and it makes all the difference.

    Former Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, Principal Civic Good

  • "I have known Julie for over a decade. We worked closely together at earlier stages of our careers, and have remained connected through a mutual passion for safer, cleaner, and more equitable Canadian cities. I deeply value our conversations on housing, Indigenous rights, and the role municipalities play in addressing social challenges."

    Alexandra Flynn, Associate Professor, Peter A. Allard School of Law

  • "I have seen first hand several times Julie's excellent ability to thread the needle on developing complex policy solutions in the realm of housing, public transit, climate and intergovernmental relations. Her bespoke experience working collaboratively and thoughtfully with all levels of government and community partners has allowed us to deliver on a number of nationally significant policy projects. "

    David Cooper, Principal and Founder, Leading Mobility

  • Julie is a strategic thinker with a keen ability to analyze complex challenges and develop effective solutions. Her problem-solving skills are truly impressive, and she consistently approaches challenges with creativity and curiosity. Julie's strategic insights have often led to solutions that have positively impacted the projects she has been a part of and I am grateful for her contributions - particularly to the project we most recently partnered on to facilitate a critical governance change at a large national not-for-profit, where she aptly guided my thinking to stay true to the client's expectations while also ensuring we provided the best advice - not the easy advice. It's a true pleasure working with Julie and believe that her remarkable set of skills make her a valuable asset to any organization.

    Sonja Baikogli Foley, Co-Founder, Maturn & Equity Consultant

  • I’ve known Julie for close to 10 years. For most of that time, while I served as Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Winnipeg Julie was chair of all the Chiefs of Staff for the FCM Big City Mayor’s Caucus. Julie’s political knowledge, understanding of public services and strategic thinking allowed her to lead highly skilled colleagues from across the country. Edmonton is often used as a benchmark for Winnipeg and having the ability to seek Julie’s informed and calm counsel during a challenge was an asset.

    Jason Fuith, P.Eng. Former Chief of Staff to Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman, Director of Strategy at the Canadian Centre for Child Protection