Julie grew up in Janesville in a blue collar family with a farming background. She put herself through college at UW Whitewater where she graduated with a master’s degree in speech-language pathology with Summa Cum Laude Honors. Julie taught in the public schools until her retirement in 2017. During her career she has served: on numerous school committees, for the negotiations team in Watertown and as the Sun Prairie Education Association Political Action Chair for seven years.

Julie was a Cofounder of the Sun Prairie Action Resource Coalition (SPARC) and continues in a leadership role for that group. Julie currently volunteers with the Dane County League of Women Voters on the High School Voter Education Action Team and is working with US Inspire to hold student voter information/registration events at the Sun Prairie High School.

Julie is honored to be on the Dane County Board and for the opportunity to continue to learn about and serve her community.

Julie lives in the town of Bristol with her husband Mike Hietpas, family dog Cooper and their two cats Smokey and Jasper. Her son Matthew is graduating from UW Lacrosse with a degree in computer science. Her daughter Kaitlynn is a sophomore at UW Madison, is on the cross country/track teams and has an interest in environmental science/engineering. In her free time Julie enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening and reading.  She is looking forward to doing more traveling when her husband retires this summer.