Job Title
Executive Director
Email
jdeden@cocenter.org
Background
Julie Deden began working at the Colorado Center for the Blind in the fall of 1997, becoming Executive Director in March of 1999. Prior to coming to work at the Center, She spent thirteen years’ as a rehabilitation counselor with the Colorado Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, where she assisted her blind clients to obtain training, developed jobs, and placed them in employment. Julie has served in numerous leadership positions in the National Federation of the Blind, including Denver Chapter President, as a member of the NFB’s Scholarship Committee, and currently is First Vice President of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado. She regularly attends other state conventions as representative of the National Federation of the Blind’s President. She also has served on the State Rehabilitation Council and is currently the Vice President of the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults. She holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Leslie University.
Julie grew up in Littleton and was the first blind student to attend Littleton Public Schools, thanks to the advocacy of her late mother. When Julie joined the National Federation of the Blind in her college years, that seed of advocating for blind people grew into a lifelong passion and guided her career.
“We give our students skills and opportunities to change their lives,” she says, “but the most important part is that our students gain belief in themselves as blind people. They can live lives they are proud of and not feel they are held back by blindness. That’s why I love coming to work every day! I never get tired of watching our students grow and become more confident.”
Julie is married to Dan Burke and they each have grown sons. Julie loves cooking, reading and travel in her free time.
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