MESM 2024
Pronouns: she/her
Bio
Julia Kuhlman earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and a minor in Professional Writing from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2017. After graduating, she worked as a consulting Environmental Planner, applying environmental policies (CEQA, NEPA) to transportation projects. Julia also served as the sustainability engineer on numerous green building and green infrastructure projects using the LEED and Envision rating systems. Curious about the public sector, Julia joined the County of San Diego as a Climate Action Planner. Through robust, bilingual stakeholder outreach and input analysis, Julia contributed to projects that reduced regional greenhouse gasses, including increasing access to composting and analyzing alternative modes of transportation. Julia also managed a $120,000 contract to plan for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the county. While in San Diego, Julia volunteered her time with the American Planning Association and served as the Young + Emerging Planners’ Group’s Communications Chair.
At the Bren School, Julia will specialize in Climate and Energy with a focus in Innovation and Entrepreneurship to prepare her for a career pivot towards sustainable business and industry. Julia plans to research sustainable markets, specifically apparel and EVs, in order to eliminate the negative environmental and social impacts of everyday products.