Co-Founders

Julie Freeman, MA, MS, MFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified life coach based in San Diego, California, with an emphasis on women's empowerment, leadership and transformational development, and the co-founder of Speak Up Sister, an international organization dedicated to helping women and girls build confidence, safety, resilience, and assertiveness for the advancement of gender equality and human rights world wide.  She has extensive experience working in trauma with clients from around the world.  She is also trained in numerous alternative healing modalities, mindfulness meditation and yoga.  She is a passionate advocate for radical self acceptance and compassionate social responsibility, and actively involved in multiple organizations committed to women's empowerment and the environment.  Julie is available to speak to groups on self advocacy, building personal power, improved relationships and leadership skills for women and girls. 

Katherine T. Smith, MSW, PhD, is a gifted clinical psychologist, transformational coach, and group facilitator.  She has worked in the field of family relationships and communication, navigating change and personal mastery, for almost 25 years.  More recently she received a nationally recognized certification in coaching Women's Leadership and Girls’ Empowerment.  Katherine brings her finely honed intuition, clarity, and humor to the work she loves -- ultimately guiding others to the deepest transformation possible.  Katherine has trained extensively in family systems, including internships at both the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic and The Menninger Foundation, world-renowned training centers for working with families.  She has also trained in consciousness studies, non-verbal communication, and group process, and has been a Family Wellness Instructor and an adjunct professor for master’s level psychologists.  She enjoys working with teenagers and treasures the opportunity to assist them in finding their authentic voice, especially in these challenging times.