Julie Lucas is an environmental professional who is committed to community and our natural resources. She currently resides in the northeastern part of Minnesota, where she has been for most of her life. Graduating from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Julie has a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and an M.S. in Water Resources Science.

Following graduation, Jullie soon found herself within the mining industry. After serving as an Environmental Coordinator with Cliff Natural Resources, Julie was working as Hibbing Taconite Company’s Environmental Manager. In this position, Julie spent her time collaborating with stakeholders to identify approaches for improving environmental compliance at the facility. These approaches involved facility components such as the open-pit mine, beneficiation and pelletization plants, and a conventional tailings basin. Thereafter, Julie was the Director of Water Resources for Twin Metals Minnesota where she provided leadership in water programs. Specifically, she steered research for and development of water-related technical documents for the state and federal environmental review processes. Most recently, she began as Executive Director with Mining Minnesota.

Elected in March 2022 as a French Township Supervisor, Julie spends a lot of time with her community volunteering and organizing events. Additionally, has served on the Board of Directors for several non-profits. For example, two of these organizations are the United Way of NE Minnesota and the Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability. In addition, Julie is on the University of Minnesota-Duluth’s Swenson College of Science and Engineering’s External Advisory Board. As a first-generation college graduate who has benefited from community programs and the support of others, she is dedicated to ensuring that others who may be similarly disadvantaged have opportunities to chase their dreams.

About the Network

Our Civic Mentorship Network is a network comprised of rural civic leaders who serve as mentors for new women who are pursuing public service. This network provides a coordinated method for aspiring leaders to make the person-to-person connections that give access to resources that are valuable to enduring success. At 100 Rural Women, we find that success in recruiting more rural women to serve in public service leadership roles is essential to keeping our democracy strong.