Julie Kahn

Fueled by the rebellious spirit of the Bay Area's punk rock scene, Julie Kahn's remarkable journey began in an unconventional setting: an all-female law firm renowned for handling high-profile cases, including the Werner Erhard divorce. Though still in high school, Julie's early exposure to trailblazing women attorneys shaped her future path, even if her duties were limited to managing coffee cups and photocopying legal documents.

Her creative spirit led her to the California College of Arts and Crafts, where she excelled in art, photography, and glass, graduating with high distinction and a BFA in 1994. This artistic foundation would later prove invaluable in her publishing career, where she demonstrated an exceptional eye for successful brands and creative content.

At Cedco Publishing, Julie spent 16 transformative years masterfully handling iconic brands including Harry Potter, Star Wars, Playboy, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Rising to International Sales Director, she became a familiar face at prestigious industry events like the Frankfurt Book Fair and Birmingham Gift Fair, where she skillfully negotiated with distribution partners and licensees worldwide.

Now serving as the Sales and Marketing Director at New Harbinger Publications, Julie's industry acumen earned her the coveted Barnes & Noble "Rep of the Year" award for mid-size publishers in 2012. Her impressive portfolio includes steering two New York Times Bestsellers - "Down in the Garden" and "The Untethered Soul" - to success. Throughout her career, she's witnessed the dramatic evolution of the retail landscape, from the rise of giants like Amazon and Walmart to the fall of once-mighty chains like Borders and Hastings.

Drawing from her punk rock roots and decades of publishing expertise, Julie's philosophy remains refreshingly straightforward: maintain multiple initiatives, preserve a positive attitude, work diligently, and above all, stay true to your word. Her journey exemplifies how the rebellious spirit of youth can evolve into sophisticated business acumen while maintaining its original authenticity.