Welcome to Get to Know..., where we feature UT System Administration staff as they offer insights into their lives in and out of the office. Each new edition will be published here.
Chief Talent and Innovation Officer, and her husband Jim.
Julie Goonewardene
Senior Advisor to the Chancellor/Chief Talent and Innovation Officer
Office of the Chancellor
What are your primary job responsibilities?
It's my privilege to work across a few areas. I focus on our incredible talent within UT System Administration and at our institutions. I also work to enable innovation across UT System. UT System creates a startup company every 11 days. In my role as Senior Advisor, I also have the opportunity to work closely with the Army Futures Command.
What do you most enjoy about your job?
Working with the talented people across the UT System. I love the mission of providing educational opportunities and great health care to the people of Texas.
What is a fact about you that may surprise your colleagues?
That I am an introvert. I love that working at UT System gives me the opportunity to meet so many interesting people. Truth be told, I am equally happy alone.
What do you do to disconnect or de-stress?
I spend time in Maine. Years ago, my newly minted husband and I attended a wedding of friends in Maine, and we fell in love with the beauty of the coastline, the sailing opportunities and, of course, the lobsta! Maine is the place where I can truly relax, and I always look to spend time there … just not in February!
What was your first car?
A Chevy Vega. It was maroon with a red and white stripe. It always, and I mean always, sounded like Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang.
What was your favorite vacation destination and if you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
I loved the Maldives. I love to travel and have never been any place I haven't enjoyed. I'd like to experience the Great Migration in Africa
