Julie Straus Gelbs
Julie Straus Gelbs is a Strategic Firefly Specialist at Adobe, where she focuses on enterprise AI transformation and go-to-market strategy for generative AI solutions, particularly Adobe Firefly. Based in the New York City metropolitan area, she partners with C-suite leaders across Fortune 500 organizations to help them translate emerging AI capabilities into measurable business outcomes. With over a decade at Adobe, she has held multiple senior sales and leadership roles, including Area Vice President of Enterprise Sales, consistently driving large-scale digital and cross-cloud transformation initiatives.
Prior to her current role, Julie built a distinguished career as a top-performing enterprise sales leader, advising global organizations on complex digital transformation strategies. She has extensive experience working within highly matrixed, regulated enterprise environments, helping clients modernize workflows, scale creative and marketing operations, and adopt AI-driven technologies responsibly. Her expertise spans enterprise sales, AI adoption, creative technology, and MarTech, and she is known for her ability to combine executive-level storytelling with commercial rigor to drive adoption and revenue growth.
Julie began her professional journey in broadcast journalism, working in roles such as a reporter and investigative intern at outlets including News 12 and WABC-TV. This foundation in storytelling and communication shaped her ability to simplify complex ideas and connect with diverse audiences—skills that later became central to her success in enterprise sales. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, with additional coursework in business and public policy, and remains active as a mentor with organizations such as Girls Who Code while also speaking frequently on AI, enterprise transformation, and the future of work.
• New York University - B.A.
• UJA (United Jewish Association)
• PTA
• Girls Who Code
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to pursuing what I truly want, staying aligned with my passions, and remaining goal-driven. I am detail-oriented and consistently eager to learn new things, which helps me grow and continuously improve in everything I do.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from a mentor at Adobe who told me to build the job I want for when I become a mother, which helped me think more intentionally about aligning my career with my long-term personal goals. It also shaped my understanding that you can’t do everything at once—balance is really about prioritization. At work and at home, I often juggle multiple responsibilities, so much so that I’ve jokingly been called “Julie the Octopus.”
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to actively support one another and stay committed to their ambitions, because having a strong network of women who uplift each other makes a real difference. Early in my career at Adobe, a mentor encouraged me to “build the job you want for when you’re a mom,” and that kind of forward-thinking guidance shaped how I approach both my career and life. In a largely male-dominated field, I make it a priority to support other women whenever I can, including speaking at global women in tech conferences, because we rise stronger when we lift each other up.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges right now is the anxiety and uncertainty around how AI will reshape work and existing roles. However, I see this as an opportunity—AI can bring more rigor and structure, freeing people from repetitive tasks and allowing them to focus on more meaningful work. The field is also evolving into a new space of creative technologists, where I’m constantly learning about MarTech and how to bridge gaps through problem-solving. Ultimately, it’s about leveraging emerging technology to drive business outcomes and support organizations through digital transformation at scale, including helping large enterprises like JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley implement AI-powered change effectively.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values in my work and personal life are staying focused, being self-motivated, and bringing positivity to others.
Locations
Adobe
Chappaqua, NY 10514