Julie is the Speaker of the New York City Council and brings more than two decades of experience across public service, law, and entrepreneurship. Before becoming Speaker, she served three times as a City Commissioner, including as Commissioner of the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs and Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. She founded Wall Street Rising, a nonprofit that helped lead the recovery of Lower Manhattan following 9/11. In 1999, she opened and operated Vine, a restaurant and catering business in Lower Manhattan.