Julie Leonhardt is the Executive Director of the Missouri Center for Employee Ownership (MOCEO), leading efforts to expand employee ownership as a strategy for stronger businesses, equitable wealth-building, and community prosperity.

A dynamic and purpose-driven leader, Julie has built a career at the intersection of business, innovation, and social impact — from executive roles at top luxury real estate brands and Wall Street law firms to founding Vuse, an AI-driven real estate marketing app.

Before joining MOCEO, she served as Executive Director of Startland, a nonprofit whose publication, Startland News, highlights stories of entrepreneurship and innovation. Julie is deeply committed to advancing equity and inclusion, championing women, the LGBTQ+ community, and others traditionally underrepresented in business.

Julie is a graduate of Westmont College and holds a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law. Originally from Los Angeles, she is fluent in Spanish and now calls Kansas City home, where she lives with her wife and their teenage sons after relocating from New York City.

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