Julia Cantu, MBA
Julia Cantu, MBA, is an accomplished enterprise sales transformation leader with over 25 years of progressive experience in the technology and telecommunications industry. Throughout her career, she has specialized in sales operations, enablement, and strategy execution, helping organizations design scalable revenue models, optimize operational performance, and accelerate market growth. Her expertise spans operating model redesign, KPI governance, channel operations, and go-to-market execution, allowing her to translate strategic vision into measurable results across complex, multi-market ecosystems.
After more than a decade of driving enterprise sales and commercialization transformation at Verizon, Julia launched BoldServe Consulting, where she partners with executive leaders and boards to convert strategy into execution. At BoldServe, she focuses on creating clarity in complexity, building scalable operating rhythms, and equipping frontline teams with the tools, insights, and confidence to succeed. Her work combines operational rigor with people-centric leadership, helping organizations achieve both top-line growth and sustainable performance improvements.
Julia holds a BBA from Millsaps College, an MBA from Strayer University, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Education at Liberty University. She is passionate about mentorship and plans to transition into academia to share her insights with emerging business leaders. Beyond her professional pursuits, Julia serves on the Mayor’s Task Force to Prevent Homelessness and provides advisory support for the Seton Hall Customer Experience Certificate Program, reflecting her commitment to community impact and strategic leadership.
• Strayer University - MBA
• Power of Us
• VP Recognition
• D2D Market Support Recognition
• Mid-Year VP Recognition
• President's List - 2019,2020,2021
• DM Iconic Recognition
• Q2 Show Up Stand Out Award
• Winner's Circle
• President's Cabinet
• Mid Year Extended Leadership Award
• House Arrests Incorporated (Board of Directors)
• Seton Hall Customer Experience Certificate Program (Advisory Board)
• Mayor's Prevent Homelessness Taskforce
• Seton Hall University
• House of Rest Inc
• CareerVillage.org
What do you attribute your success to?
I think there are three things that I attribute my success to. Overall, I'd say it's my faith in Jesus Christ. It grounds me in my identity, shapes my character, and really guides how I lead - all of that goes back to integrity, humility, and service. I also think it's my family - my husband and my son have really kept me grounded and reminded me what matters most. Because I've had that support, it's been a really steady source of strength and perspective as I've gone throughout my career. And then professionally, I think it's really come from pairing that foundation with discipline, execution, and the drive to be the best that I can be. I'm the type of person where my best is never good enough - I have to continually improve and be better. I'm really grateful for the mentors and teams that have challenged me and trusted me and have really sharpened my leadership along the way.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is, number one, to be true to yourself. As you get into corporate America, everybody is going to try to change you along the way. Another part of that is to always be curious and always seek feedback, but also have discernment on who is giving you the feedback. You have to take that feedback, internalize it, and think, okay, are they looking out for their interests with what they're giving you, or are they truly looking to better you and for you to become a better person? Because not everybody's intentions are pure.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say be willing to be new and willing to be seen. Don't wait until you feel 100% ready to raise your hand for stretch work - just have the confidence in yourself to be able to do what you think you may not be able to do. You also have to really learn the business early, especially if you're in business. How is revenue made? What drives customer decisions? How do numbers move? Where do operations break? If you have and know that information, that means when you walk in and have a seat at the table, you are going to be confident, and that's really going to build how people see you. I also like to say build your own personal board of directors - think of yourself as a company. You need to have mentors and sponsors and peers who will tell you the truth, who will advocate for you in rooms that you are not in, and who will help you grow and challenge and support you. I'm a perfectionist, so waiting until I'm ready is really hard for me, and I still struggle with it today. There's always going to be imposter syndrome - you're always going to feel like you're never good enough. A lot of times, you still see yourself as that little girl, unsure. But you have to start looking at yourself through the lens of other people, because you're not always going to see yourself as being a great individual.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say number one is integrity. I think that is the most important value there is - have integrity in who you are, what you do, and the decisions that you make. Accountability is very important, to not only hold yourself accountable but also people around you accountable. And service is important too, and that comes with developing people and strengthening cultures.