20 Stories of Impact

In 2009, Julie Brenner was invited to join the Alliance Board of Directors. With her experience leading the North Oakland Community Coalition, she knew the benefits the Alliance had to offer and was committed to help building connections at the community level.  It is a commitment she continues today as Alliance President & CEO.  

Brenner took the helm of the Alliance in 2014. Under her leadership, the number of coalitions has grown to 21, and today the prevention network reaches 55+ communities.  She continues to empower the Alliance team, coalitions, and collaborative partners to raise the bar in their work to prevent substance misuse, decrease overdose deaths and increase mental and physical wellness.

“We had traditionally funded and supported a prevention coalition network. I wanted to do more. I knew we could do more,” Brenner says. “Flash forward, we have exceptional programming from kindergarten to older adults, from teaching about making healthy choices to ensuring healthy decision making is integrated into everything we do. The bottom line is that we are empowered to save lives and support our community members and partners to elevate their work to do the same.” 

Success, she says,  would not have been possible without the consistent support of a dedicated Board of Directors.  She fondly recalls receiving encouragement and mentorship from many, including Sandy Kosik, past Treasurer and Marc Jeffries, past Board Chair. 

“Over the past 10 years, I have been lucky to have engaged and invested Board members,” Brenner says. “Our current Chair, Angela DelPup and Vice Chair, Jared Gajos and Members at Large are integral to the success and direction that the Alliance is moving in. I can't thank them enough for supporting me and ensuring that we are always performing with excellence.” 

As she moves into her 11th year as CEO, Julie is proud of the impact that the Alliance has had. And, while she could cite numerous examples of success, there is one fundamental thing that has been intrinsic throughout it all. That one thing is passion. 

“People don't know about the level of passion to help people that we, I, bring to the table. It's intrinsic in everyone who works for me and with me. The expertise we have within the walls of our office is top notch but it's the passion to make change that really propels us.”