Meet Julia Stambaugh.

Julia Stambaugh, CFO of the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne, is an Allen County native. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Indiana University, Fort Wayne and an MBA from Saint Francis University.

Julia has five years of experience in the nonprofit industry and over eight years of experience in the financial services sector. Prior to joining the YMCA, she was Director of Finance at Lasting Change, Inc. As director, she was responsible for managing the accounting department, financial reporting, forecasting, and budgeting. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Fort Wayne Center for Learning, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping students overcome learning obstacles. In addition, she is a member of the 2022 Leadership Fort Wayne Class.

YWCA: What does an “empowered woman” mean to you?

Julia: Empowerment comes from within. It results from inner strength and confidence. Empowered women are courageous—we know that our voices matter. We make the community stronger.

YWCA: In what ways do you feel you empower other women?

Julia: I lead by example and encourage women to tap into their own special and unique potential. I share my knowledge and experiences with them and encourage other women to invest in their personal growth. I encourage women to embrace the discomfort of personal growth as a catalyst of change, to try new things. I celebrate their success and am there for support if things don’t go as planned.

YWCA: Can you share a tidbit of information or an experience that may be helpful to other women?

Julia: Early in my career I stressed about trying to fit into stereotypical molds to achieve success. But this wasn’t true to me, nor was I particularly successful at it. When I figured out that my leadership style could be different and leaned into that, I started to see opportunities open up. I learned to use my voice to benefit the organizations I have served and the people in my circles. It is OK to share your unique story and embrace your strengths; we each bring something awesome and valuable to the table. I have been fortunate to work with many wonderful leaders who have invested both time and knowledge in me. I look forward to doing the same for the next generation of aspiring leaders in our community.