Hanging out with Julie Delbuck of Samsung’s NEXT Start program.

As a Community Manager Julie Delbuck is apart of Samsung’s accelerator program which breeds the talents of our FUTURE.  Literally the office champions brains working to make this world a smarter not harder kind of place.   However I chose to interview Julie for many reasons.  One, yes, being how exciting her role as Community Manager of the San Francisco accelerator office is.  She expertly devises new opportunities to discover the next Steve Jobs or Elon Musk. Pretty badass.  Yet she’s also highly involved in enhancing community health and constructing a respectable future that fosters respect for diversity.  To me she’s a sought after example of personal strength and professional magnetism.  And she is kind enough to make time for moi to snap photos and ask a few personal, professional and political questions.

Me:  I know you're a go-getter, biker, active healthy individual.  Basically would put my brunching bosom to shame. But do tell me what your weekends look like?

Julie:  I spend a lot of my weekends training, cooking, and spending time with Chris (my husband). And for the second time I am riding in the AIDS LifeCycle, which is a 545 mile bike ride from SF to LA to fundraise for the SF AIDS Foundation and LA LGBT center.  These organizations are incredible, and likely to have to help even more people when the ACA is repealed. The ACA is a really important piece of legislature for people living with the disease. It takes a lot of training and time in the saddle to get ready to ride down the coast! I set big fundraising goals for myself, so this year I have a deal for donors.. if you donate $1k or more I'll do an extra trip up Quadbuster hill, one of the most infamous on the ride!

Me:  Can you give me a few restaurant suggestions by your home or in the city?

Julie:  You can find me out and about in the East Bay sipping cocktails at Long Branch Saloon, beers at Fieldwork, or eating far too much Mexican food at Picante. Their pinto beans are the best!

Me:  Overall how do you feel about the lifestyle of the Bay?  There is LOADS of criticism we’re all fielding for the rapid “change” of the community.  Is it changing for the better?

Julie:  This is a really hard question, it's changed a lot in the 13 years I have lived here. It breaks my heart that the local arts and music scene is struggling to survive here. We need creativity to keep the vibrancy of the Bay alive, it's one of the things that always made this place special. We're all so focused on work!

Me:  I’m going to get political.  This year has brought about some rapid changes obvi.  What do you think the future of technology looks like this next year? How do you think politics is going to affect yourself?  Your colleagues?

Julie:  I suspect one thing that we will see in 2017 is technology adapting to support the increase in activism and engagement that we are seeing this year. People want to organize and connect, and they will turn to tech to make it happen.  I also hope to see more people trying to address real human needs with technology, finding innovative ways to use it for social good.

Me:  Personally if you had a million dollars to invest in a good cause or impact investing, what area would you focus on?

Julie:  I would invest in health and agriculture. I think there is a lot to be explored there that can make us more effective, sustainable,  and affordable.

Me:  AS A WOMAN in tech, sum up some goals, personal experiences or advice for our/your readers.

Julie:  One cool thing about working at Samsung NEXT Start is that it's headed up by a woman, Emily Becher. That really sets the ground work that women in the organization can work at any level...it's great. I feel lucky that most of the men I have worked with have given me opportunities to grow and flourish. Even having a supportive team, it's always the boys club and I'll never really be a part of that. Women are still the first anyone turns to when there is a secretarial need, even when it's not their job. There are so many incredible ladies out there who are achieving great things and proving that we are equals, it gives me a lot of hope for where it's all headed.

  “ I hope someday soon we’re referred to as PEOPLE in tech, not WOMEN in tech.”   <JD>

Support to those who make your community GREAT by donating to her ride for AIDS LifeCycle here.  And again great thanks to you Jules for taking the time to voice your own vision of how to give TO the world, not take from it.  Slay!

photos and words by
Summer Wilson