Julie Morningstar
Julie Morningstar is an accomplished adult educator and business operations leader with over 30 years of experience driving profitable performance in the Aerospace and Defense industry. Currently a part-time college instructor at Mayland Community College, Julie combines her professional expertise with her passion for helping adult students plan and achieve their academic and career goals. Her work focuses on practical, results-driven approaches to education and professional development across a broad spectrum of disciplines.
Before entering academia, Julie held senior leadership roles in major corporations including L3Harris Technologies, Celestica, Raytheon, and Honeywell Aerospace. She led large-scale subcontract management, strategic sourcing, and supply chain initiatives, successfully integrating acquired facilities and overseeing multi-billion-dollar supplier portfolios. Her leadership emphasized performance, compliance, quality improvement, and the development of organizational structures that support sustainable growth.
Julie earned a Master’s in Supply Chain Management from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor’s in International Finance from the University of South Florida. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys nature, hiking, tennis, and spending time with her two travel-loving cats, Crash and Veno. Julie is also working on a book titled Trails, centered on the Appalachian Trail, reflecting her love for adventure and storytelling.
• University of San Diego - MS
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the ability to foster collaboration. I believe the best results come when people find ways to work together effectively.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from a former Army general. He emphasized the importance of leadership and instilled in me the principle of “leave no one behind,” which I apply to teamwork and supporting those around me.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering my industry to work hard and confidently show that they belong. Follow your instincts, strive to be the best version of yourself, and seek out other women for guidance and support along the way.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In teaching, one of the biggest challenges is navigating the dynamics of each student’s family situation and helping them find a reason to show up and engage. In aerospace, the focus is on unifying diverse teams to work seamlessly together, turning collaboration into a key opportunity for success.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are caring for those around me—family, friends, and colleagues—and treating others with kindness and respect.
Locations
Mayland Community College
Bakersville, NC