In 1986, Julie Gertler predicted today’s intense conflicts about growth and development and founded Consensus Inc. to foster constructive communication among the parties and enable responsible projects to get built. Throughout her career, Julie has pioneered techniques that facilitate support for real estate development, transportation improvements, infrastructure projects and environmental cleanups. Many of these techniques are broadly applied today and Julie is recognized as a thought leader in the business of strategic communications and community relations. Recently, she’s been leading Consensus Inc.'s initiative to interact collaboratively with stakeholders using Web 2.0.
Julie has particular expertise in facilitating controversial processes, communicating with diverse audiences and meeting the needs of decision-makers, having managed community outreach around some of the most contentious issues in Southern California. A grasp of intricate environmental regulations and experience in complex, multi-cultural and multi-jurisdictional arenas round out what she brings to clients.
Julie provides strategic direction to all Consensus Inc. projects. Over the last 20 years she has expanded the firm’s capabilities by building a team of multicultural and multilingual professionals with a broad range of experience in politics, community organizing, media strategy and public relations.
A graduate of UCLA and the Harvard Law School Public Disputes Program, Julie serves on the Board of Governors of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. She is a member of the Women’s Transportation Seminar, the Aviation Committee of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and is a past chair of the Land Use Committee of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association. Julie has been a featured speaker at conferences of the Pacific Coast Builders Conference, International Council of Shopping Centers, Transportation Research Board, UCLA’s Anderson School, the Building Industry Association of Orange County and many others.
Prior to founding Consensus Inc., Julie served as Deputy to a member of the Los Angeles City Council, playing a key role in many land use and environmental issues. She successfully managed a Congressional campaign, chaired a commission of the City of Los Angeles and headed a large non-profit membership organization.
