Out Palm Beach: Julia Murphy, A Person of Impact

Julia Murphy is leader and social advocate for the betterment of the people for the Palm Beaches. As Sheryl Sandberg once said, “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”

A Chat with Julia Murphy

 Tell us about your role at Habitat for Humanity and their mission.

As the chief advancement officer for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County, I lead the strategy that fuels our mission bringing together fundraising, corporate partnerships, marketing, community engagement, and long-term planning to create real, measurable impact. My work is about aligning vision with action so that families across our county have access to stability, dignity, and opportunity.

Habitat’s mission reaches far beyond homeownership. We serve seniors aging with dignity, veterans rebuilding their lives, single parents seeking stability, and multigenerational families working toward generational wealth. What we build isn’t just housing, it’s possibility.

You previously served at Compass LGBTQ+ Community Center. What inspired your passion for this work?

Compass is where I found my calling. I joined as a senior in college an intern searching for a way to serve with purpose. Within weeks, I was immersed in HIV/AIDS prevention, LGBTQ youth programming, case management, and community advocacy. Compass taught me what it means to create safe, affirming spaces. It showed me the transformative power of representation, access to care, and belonging.

My allyship to the LGBTQ community didn’t begin as a role. It began as a responsibility. Through Compass, I witnessed people discovering their voice, reclaiming their dignity, and finding community during some of the hardest moments of their lives. That shaped my entire career.

To this day, I remain deeply committed to LGBTQ equality, HIV/AIDS advocacy, and the work of Compass. The community welcomed me, trusted me, and taught me what it means to stand beside someone not just in celebration, but in the fight for visibility, safety, and justice.

You have a passion for helping underserved communities. What fuels that passion?

My passion is fueled by the transformation I’ve witnessed over and over throughout my career. For more than 17 years, I’ve worked in spaces where access, stability, and representation change lives in real time.

I’ve seen individuals living with HIV regain hope and health. I’ve seen LGBTQ youth find belonging and safety. I’ve seen women step into leadership and reclaim their power. I’ve seen families break cycles of instability through homeownership.

Those moments stay with you. They remind you that when a community invests in people’s potential, the ripple effects are extraordinary.

Tell us about your involvement with the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Council and the Young Professionals initiative.

I currently serve on the Board of Trustees and on the Women’s Leadership Council, where I get to help elevate women leaders, strengthen local business engagement, and foster collaboration across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

More than a decade ago, I helped launch the chamber’s first-ever Young Professionals group  a vision to bring emerging leaders together, build community, and shape the next generation of influencers and changemakers in Palm Beach County. Seeing how that group has grown and continues to thrive today is incredibly fulfilling.

My work with the chamber reflects my belief that leadership isn’t siloed. Economic development, philanthropy, advocacy, mentorship are all interconnected.

How do you stay connected across so many causes?

People often joke, “Julia, you’re everywhere,” and the truth is: I show up because showing up matters.

You can’t advocate for a community you don’t understand, and you can’t understand it from the sidelines. Being present at events, meetings, builds, conversations, and spaces where people need support is how I stay connected, informed, and aligned with the needs of Palm Beach County.

My work is built on relationships. Everything I’ve accomplished professionally and personally has come from investing deeply in people: listening, learning, collaborating, and being part of moments that shape our county’s future. And none of this would be possible without my incredibly supportive partner and family. They believe in this work as much as I do, and we share the value that you must contribute to the community you’re raising your children in. Palm Beach County is filled with extraordinary leaders, advocates, and everyday people who care deeply about this place. I’ve watched them build a foundation of generosity and service that has shaped our county for decades. I feel a responsibility to continue that legacy and to make sure my daughter grows up in a community where opportunity, equity, and compassion remain strong.

What do you love most about Palm Beach County?

Its extraordinary blend of beauty, opportunity, and community. Few places offer our combination of cultural depth, innovation, outdoor lifestyle, and growing economic strength. There’s a momentum here a sense that our county is evolving, expanding, and becoming even more dynamic.

Any advice for young professionals or new graduates looking for a meaningful career?

Lead with purpose, not perfection.

Your path will evolve. What matters is aligning your work with your values. Build relationships, not transactions. Mentors, colleagues, and community partners will shape your growth far more than any title.

Stay curious and stay humble. Ask questions. Seek feedback. Keep learning. Serve your community early and often. Service opens doors that ambition cannot.

Don’t wait to feel ready. You grow into leadership nobody begins there.

Finish these sentences.

Julia Murphy was: a young social worker who believed deeply in people, justice, and community, long before she had the words for it.

Julia Murphy is: a leader, mother, connector, and builder dedicated to opening doors for others.

Julia Murphy wants to be: a catalyst for generational change someone whose impact endures long after she leaves the room.

Let us apply the famous Maya Angelou quote when ending this story to Julia: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Frank D’Agostino is a playwright, composer, executive producer, figure skater and active member in the Southern Florida community.