DGE Julie Schumaker

District 6290
Frankfort Rotary Club

Julie is passionate about serving youth, having started her career as a neglect/abuse caseworker for Probate Court. Realizing that early intervention was key, she returned to school and earned a Master’s degree in counseling, and a PhD from The University of Michigan in educational policy and research. In her 35 years as a research consultant, she worked with foundations, nonprofits, educational and professional organizations.
 
Julie and her husband raised their family in Dexter, near Ann Arbor. Julie’s commitment to serving the community included serving 18 years on the Dexter Community Schools Board of Education. She also brought together community leaders to create the Dexter Community Fund, a local endowment fund, raising over $700,000 in 7 years and launching a grant program to address community needs.
 
Julie joined the Dexter Rotary Club in 2010 and served as Club President, chair of the Next Generations Committee, RYLA chair, and served as a host parent and counselor to several exchange students. She also served as an Assistant Governor in D6380.
 
Julie and her husband moved “Up North” to Frankfort in 2021 where she is a member of the Frankfort Rotary Club and serves as chair of the club’s Youth Services Committee. Since joining D6290, Julie has taken on various leadership roles including serving as chair of the District’s Youth Services Committee and the District’s Vision Facilitation team.
 
In 2023, inspired by a tweet from RI General Secretary, John Hewko, Julie created an organization, Benzie Welcome Corps, to sponsor and welcome a Ukrainian family fleeing the war. Bringing together local churches, Rotary clubs, and community members, they raised over $50,000, leased a home, and welcomed a family with 3 boys - ages 8, 4 and a 3 months. In 2024, a second family arrived with 2 boys ages 8 and 4, and a month later they welcomed a new baby boy. The outpouring of community support to welcome these families has made Rotary’s focus on Peacebuilding tangible at the local level and helped to realize Rotary’s Vision, Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
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