Meet Dr. Julie Donley
Leadership Coach | Best-Selling Author | Keynote Speaker
EdD, MBA, RN, PCC
It Started with a Question
Early in my healthcare career, I worked under a toxic manager whose leadership style created an environment of fear, stress, and dysfunction. The impact on our team and ultimately on patient care was profound.
That experience sparked a question that would shape my entire career: Can any manager learn to lead well?
I believed the answer was yes. That belief sent me on a decades-long journey. I earned my doctorate, built a coaching practice, wrote three books, and developed the CARE Leadership Model™ that now guides leaders across industries.
Here's what I've learned: Leaders aren't born. They're developed. And you don't have to figure it out alone.
30 minutes | Free | Let's explore what's possible for you
Where I Learned What Leaders Need Most
My leadership philosophy was forged in psychiatric nursing with adolescents in behavioral healthcare. Working with young people whose difficult behaviors masked deep trauma and pain taught me something crucial: what you see on the surface is rarely the whole story.
I learned to respond rather than react. To ask "what happened to you?" instead of "what's wrong with you?" To create safety before expecting change.
These principles transformed that challenging environment. And they work just as powerfully in boardrooms, hospitals, schools, and organizations of every kind.
Why Leaders Trust Me
The combination of clinical experience, business acumen, and coaching expertise means you get practical guidance that actually works.
What Qualifies Me to Coach You
300+ leaders coached, 100+ organizations served, 20+ years of experience. This isn't theory. It's practical, battle-tested guidance so you don't have to figure it out alone.
- Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coaching Federation
- Doctorate in Organizational Leadership (EdD), MBA, BSN, BBA
- Certified in diversity, group, and team coaching
How My Background Supports Your Goals
Clinical and leadership experience in behavioral healthcare means complex people challenges don't overwhelm you. I've led teams through chaos, coached executives through transformation, and helped hundreds of leaders find their calm.
- Former Director of Nursing (8+ years)
- Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Management (Georgetown)
- Research focus: leadership's impact on workplace culture
Recognition for This Work
Top 100 Thought Leader, 2025 Global Book Award Finalist, Healthcare Hero. Three published books (fourth coming Spring 2026). But what matters most is this: leaders like you get results.
- Award-winning author on leadership and change
- Recognized by Leadership Excellence Magazine
- Trusted by hospitals, universities, and nonprofits
As Featured In
"Empathy isn't soft, it's strategic. Respect isn't weakness, it's wisdom. And taking time to appreciate people isn't a luxury, it's leadership."
What Leaders Are Saying
"Through her coaching, I have grown both professionally and personally. I have become more self-aware, confident, and assertive. 5 out of 5 stars to Dr. Donley, she is a genuine caring person whose knowledge is invaluable!"
"The three most significant improvements I've implemented at work: set expectations for myself and others, be curious about why people respond the way they do, and not take things personally. I am grateful to Julie for her coaching."
"Through Julie's coaching, I was able to quickly and successfully navigate from an entry level nurse position to a Nurse Manager to a Director of Nursing. I accomplished much more than I would have without her."
Beyond the Credentials
I'm known for making leadership development feel less like work and more like discovery. My approach is simple: I simplify the complex, help you focus on what actually matters, and give you strategies you can use immediately.
When I'm not coaching leaders or writing, you'll find me traveling with my husband, riding motorcycles, and spending time with family and friends. These experiences remind me daily that leadership isn't about perfection. It's about showing up authentically and caring deeply about the people you serve.
My mission is clear: To empower leaders to create people-centered cultures where respect, empathy, and results coexist.
Ready to Transform Your Leadership?
Let's explore how coaching can help you lead with greater clarity, confidence, and calm.
Book Your Clarity Session