Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Blanchard
Hi Julia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Virginia but moved frequently throughout my childhood, living in various places in and out of the country. In the end, I went to 9 different schools. It wasn’t until I came to St. Louis that I finally settled down in one place. I moved here in the fall of 2020 to attend Washington University in St. Louis where I pursued a degree in Global Studies with minors in Chinese and Applied Linguistics.
During my junior year, I applied for the 3-2 program at WashU to pursue my Master of Social Work (MSW). This program allowed me to start the first year of my MSW while still being an undergrad student. I was drawn to the program because I wanted to dive deeper into the concepts of community building and organizing. Having spent much of my life joining new communities, I had experienced firsthand how important they are. Now, I had the chance to invest in one myself—St. Louis.
I started to become more and more acquainted with St. Louis’s nonprofit field. I was fascinated by how communities can be strengthened and how nonprofits play a pivotal role in supporting different populations. I wanted to learn more about these organizations, and I was fortunate to connect with many of the leaders in the space who were driving impactful change. Through these conversations, I began hearing about the challenges and gaps within the field—issues like limited resources, high overhead costs, and logistical barriers that made it difficult for organizations to grow.
That’s when I was connected with my now cofounder, Rick Ruderer, of the 50 Roses Foundation. Together, we envisioned a resource hub that could provide tools, venues, and connections to St. Louis’s LGBTQ+ and allied nonprofits—helping to expand their reach and impact. These organizations were already doing beyond incredible work, but with a shared space and shared resources, we hope to empower them to do more. This vision became Collaboration STL, a start-up project dedicated to fostering collaboration and reducing barriers so nonprofits can focus on what matters most: their mission.
Life has changed significantly since I started down this path, but I remain excited about what the future holds. With the base foundation we’ve built, I’m optimistic that Collaboration STL will continue to grow and support the incredible work being done across our community!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If you had asked me a year ago what I would be doing today, I would have never imagined the amazing opportunities -or the struggles that have come along with them.
The biggest challenge for me has been reconciling my now intertwined LGBTQ+ and professional identities. In a state like Missouri, it can be daunting to create a professional environment where I am openly out not only to the LGBTQ+ and allied community but also out to those who may not be supportive. However, I believe the work is definitely worth it in the end.
I have been able to navigate these challenges because I have an amazing support system. Professionally, I’ve been guided by amazing mentors like Annie Kelly from the Taylor Family Center, Larisa Klebe from Abortion Action Missouri, and Maxine Clark of Delmar Divine. On a personal level, my family—especially my little sister Laney—has always encouraged me to keep pushing forward. My best friends have also been a tremendous source of support, backing every idea, attending every event, and listening to me talk through all the ups and downs. I truly couldn’t have accomplished any of this without them.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m deeply passionate about community events and nonprofit fundraising. I love bringing people together. I think the most exciting part about this work is that you get to be creative in how you plan and execute your event. From venues to vendors to programming, there is a lot of opportunity to explore how best to engage with people and create something that can have an impact.
What I’m most proud of are the relationships I’ve built along the way with community leaders and individuals who share my vision for a more inclusive St. Louis. These connections have been crucial in shaping what I hope to accomplish whether it be through my roles in events and fundraisers or Collaboration STL. Each new conversation brings fresh ideas and perspectives on what we could do to improve our community. Hearing these diverse ideas has been the most rewarding part of this journey, fueling my passion for what we’re building together.
How do you think about luck?
Luck has certainly played a role throughout my life and career. One of the most significant moments of good fortune was being accepted to WashU through the WashU Pledge scholarship program. This scholarship opened up the possibility of pursuing my passion for social impact and community engagement without the financial barriers that often stand in the way. From there, I’ve been lucky enough to connect with mentors and partners who not only believed in me but connected me with transformative opportunities that shaped my career path. These relationships opened doors to roles I’d once only dreamed of. Overall, the journey so far has been a blend of fate and hard work to get the right pieces to fall into place.
I am grateful to have had these opportunities and I am so excited for what comes next!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.collaborationstl.org/
- Instagram: @collaborationstl
- Other: https://linktr.ee/collaborationcenterstl
