Julia Spiess
Title: Vice President
Bio: Julia is an accomplished issues management specialist. She’s a reporter by training who has worked as a legislative staffer – a powerful mix of skills that drive smart strategy and seamless project implementation.
Julia leads the media strategy component of the California State Parks Foundation’s (CSPF) “Save Our State Parks Campaign.” After the announcement of the Governor’s budget proposal to close 48 state parks and reduce lifeguard staffing on 16 state beaches, Julia worked with CSPF to gain substantial media exposure for the threatened park closures which resulted in Governor Schwarzenegger removing state parks from his budget cuts.
Julia played an integral role in helping patient advocates preserve HMO drug coverage for essential medications. When Claritin moved over-the-counter, physician and consumer appeals organized by Julia compelled the Department of Managed Health Care to issue an advisory prohibiting HMOs from dropping coverage of therapeutic drug classes, simply because certain medications become available without a prescription. Today, the advisory’s provisions have been written into the regulations of patient protection law SB 842.
At PCG, Julia serves as a senior advisor to numerous consumer advocacy groups and an expert on communications measurement, including providing client counsel on how to quantify the impact and value of issues campaigns.
Julia earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from California State University, Chico. She has held a board position with the International Association of Business Communicators, Sacramento for three terms and is currently serving her second term as board president. She also makes time to enjoy the outdoors, including skiing and backpacking.
“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish others.”
– Mark Twain
