My Bio
Julie Beckham is a long-time, engaged Canton resident, committee member, and volunteer. With generations of family rooted in Canton, she grew up here and returned after 10 years in New York, to live near her relatives and raise her own family.
Julie’s civic and political interests began at the Galvin Middle School, where she hung signs for “Julie B. for VP,” continued through Canton High School in Mr. Healy’s U.S. History class, and continued on to NYU, where she took classes in Constitutional Law and Ethics in Society while pursuing her BFA at Tisch School of the Arts. Decades later, she just completed the 89th MA Citizens’ Legislative Seminar at the State House — and is now seeking to serve Canton on the Select Board.
Professionally, Julie is the Assistant Vice President, Financial Education Development & Strategy Officer at Rockland Trust, where she has worked for 15 years creating and managing innovative financial education programming for all ages and advocating for equitable financial education in Massachusetts schools. Previously, she served as the Community Relations Officer at Blue Hills Bank, where she oversaw the bank’s volunteer programs and a nearly $3 million budget — gaining insights about the resources and programs that make communities thrive.
Through her roles in banking, Julie was a founding board member for Boston Women, Inc., served on the advisory council of Citizens’ Housing & Planning Association (CHAPA), and is a member of ETHOS Money Management Advisory Board. She is an accredited financial counselor (AFC) and just completed a year-long program on inclusive leadership as a member of YW Boston’s LeadBoston.
Julie recently served a three-year term as Vice Chair for Canton’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion (CDEI) Committee. Throughout the past 15 years, she has also volunteered as VP of the Hansen School Canton Association of Parents and Teachers (CAPT) and as a member of the Canton Alliance for Public Education (CAPE), as well as Canton High School’s School Council. Julie is a supporter of youth sports and the arts and formerly owned the Greater Boston Drama Studio, which operated out of Pequitside Farm. Most recently, she retired from “Team Mom” for the CHS Girls’ Volleyball team when her youngest of four graduated from Canton High School.
Now, with more than a decade in banking leadership roles and many years of hands-on parenting under her belt, Julie is ready to make a deeper commitment to Canton as a member of the Select Board. She is excited to collaborate with governing committees in town, provide sound financial oversight, protect our many wonderful existing resources, and actively connect Canton residents to the people and programs that give them joy and a sense of community.
My Key Issues
PEOPLE: Empowering Our Community
Invest in Resident Engagement Enhance town-wide engagement and communication to increase awareness of resources and volunteer opportunities. We must increase outreach and create more opportunities for residents to serve on committees and boards. Support Municipal Excellence Provide town employees with support, resources and opportunities that foster the kind of compassionate and inclusive culture we all want in our own workplaces. Lead with Compassion Commit to open meetings and hold one another accountable for civil, respectful discourse.
PLACES: Preserving & Enhancing Our Assets
Create Meaningful "Third Spaces" Foster community hubs for all ages by supporting the Library’s development, investing in Parks & Rec and the Department of Elder and Human Services, scaling growth to match our growing needs and taking forward action on the former St. Gerard’s property. Revitalize Downtown Develop a shared, strategic vision for a walkable thriving downtown community destination that effectively supports a better variety of small businesses, economic vitality and planned greenspace. Protect Our Environment Preserve remaining open spaces, protect natural resources, and air quality, and commit to common-sense climate action and access to clean, affordable energy to meet the urgency of the moment. Strengthen Infrastructure Implement Canton’s short and midterm policies and develop a long-term strategy to address the aging infrastructure of Canton’s municipal buildings with clean, cost-saving energy systems. Partner with the Commonwealth Leverage my experience in advocacy to collaborate with the state to improve senior housing authority upkeep, and advocate for PAPPAS to support employees, families and patients so that they can remain at home as members of the Canton community.
PROGRESS: Moving Canton Forward
Champion Inclusivity Intentionally invite diverse voices and fresh perspectives into town conversations and committees by adjusting committee appointment methods and exploring term limits Honor Our History Pursue "Historic Town of Canton" status by elevating the Paul Revere Heritage Site and the Canton Historical Society, potentially opening up visitation, tourism and grant opportunities Modernize Governance Address challenges by asking, "How is this process serving us now?" while seeking efficiencies through collaboration and smart technology investments. Improve Affordability Investigate and pursue policies that ensure Canton remains affordable so all residents can prosper. Better Ensure Safety & Trust Develop regional partnerships with contiguous municipalities to improve traffic flow. Upgrade local effort to ensure walkability and pedestrian safety. Likewise, partner closely with the Canton Police Department to continue to advance trust and safety.
Send Me a Message
Have questions or suggestions? I would love to hear from you!
Campaign Headquarters
801 Washington St, Canton, MA 02021, USA