Julie has been the CEO of California's statewide arts advocacy organizations since late 2018. During her tenure, she has increased the legislative influence and visibility of arts and culture communities by building coalitions across for-profit and non-profit sectors of California's creative industries. She has championed a month-long arts awareness and advocacy campaign every April and fought for resources and legislation to serve and protect artists and cultural workers. Julie has served in various leadership roles, including California State Captain to Americans for the Arts' National Arts Action Summit, co-chair of the creative economy working group at the CA Economic Summit, and co-chair of the Western Arts Advocacy network for Creative West, where she is also a member of the Board of Trustees.  In 2025, she was appointed to the CalNonprofits Board of Directors. She also serves as Board President of California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project.  Her past roles include serving on the Nevada County school board (2020-2024) and as an appointed member of the State of California's 2022 Entrepreneurship & Economic Mobility Task Force (EEMTF) and the Creative Economy Working Group (2024-25).  In 2021, Julie received the Americans for the Arts Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award, which honors an individual at the state level whose arts advocacy efforts have dramatically affected the political landscape.

Julie Baker's extensive experience in the arts includes owning a fine arts gallery showcasing emerging artists, co-founding the Flow art fair, establishing Julie Baker Projects, a consulting firm, and curating a world music series at the Crocker Art Museum.  Previously, she served as President of her family's arts marketing firm in New York City and worked at Christie's Auction house.  Her non-profit leadership experience includes eight years as Executive Director for The Center for the Arts, a performing arts organization and the California WorldFest.  In recognition of her contributions, she received the inaugural Peggy Levine Arts & Community Service Award from the Nevada County Arts Council.