好色先生TV

For Julie DeSeyn, leadership is the same, no matter what the office looks like.

Whether working in government, social services or performing arts, she believes the core principles remain the same.

鈥淟eading is leading,鈥� says Julie, a 1998 graduate of the Master of Science in Public Policy and Management program at 好色先生TV鈥檚 Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy. 鈥淣o matter what field you鈥檙e in, you鈥檙e trying to bring people together to solve problems.鈥�

That philosophy has guided a career spanning nonprofit organizations, government agencies and now the arts. Today, Julie serves as executive director of Quantum Theatre, a Pittsburgh company known for staging immersive productions in unexpected locations throughout the region.

Both Julie鈥檚 early education and early career paths were in the world of social work; she earned two degrees from the University of Pittsburgh in the field and her first job was at Family Foundations, an Early Head Start agency in Pittsburgh. The experience reinforced her interest in helping communities navigate complex social challenges.

But she found herself wanting more, and she enrolled in Heinz College, where she pursued a second master鈥檚 degree in public policy and management.

The program, she says, helped her learn to view problems on a larger scale.

鈥淚 know how to recognize the big, direct problem in front of me,鈥� Julie says. 鈥淏ut when you鈥檙e thinking about public policy, you鈥檙e also thinking about hundreds or thousands of other agencies that might be facing the same issue.鈥�

After graduating from Heinz in 1998, she quickly put those lessons to use.

Julie worked with the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development and later the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, focusing on projects designed to strengthen neighborhoods and support economic development across the region.

The work required coordination among government agencies, community organizations and residents 鈥� an approach that would become a hallmark of her career.

After several years in government, Julie transitioned to the nonprofit sector, joining the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. That new chapter eventually became one of the defining periods of her career. Over the next 15 years, she rose into leadership, helping guide the organization鈥檚 efforts to address issues such as poverty, education and community well-being.

Later, she launched her own consulting firm focused on helping small nonprofit organizations become more financially sustainable.

The work allowed her to share her experience with organizations that often operate with limited resources. But after a time, she realized something was missing.

鈥淚 loved the work,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut I missed being part of a team.鈥�

Julie soon found a team in need of a leader. In 2022, Julie attended a leadership course sponsored by the Heinz Endowments. During the program she met Karla Boos, the founding artistic director of Quantum Theatre.

Boos mentioned that the company was searching for an interim executive director.

At first, Julie was curious about the opportunity, but wasn't sure if her skills and experience would be a match for the role. But the more she learned, the more comfortable she felt.

鈥淚 ended up really enjoying it,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd eventually I realized I was the one being recruited.鈥�

In 2023, she joined Quantum Theatre as executive director, her first role in arts management.

Founded by Boos in 1990, Quantum Theatre has built a reputation for immersive productions staged in unconventional spaces across Pittsburgh. Performances have taken place in warehouses, historic buildings and other unexpected settings.

The company鈥檚 approach immediately resonated with Julie.

鈥淚 love the way Quantum makes you think,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ringing people together is crucial right now.鈥�

Audience members often tell her they attended a show in a neighborhood just minutes from home that they had never visited before.

鈥淚 love that we bring people across rivers and through tunnels to see communities they might have only heard of,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 one of the most exciting parts of the work.鈥�

Quantum鈥檚 upcoming production brings Julie home in a way. The play 鈥�10 out of 12鈥� takes place in the small theater located in the basement of the Mellon Institute building on the Carnegie Mellon campus. The Art Deco space was originally built so scientists could perform for one another.

Quantum plans to transform the venue to seat about 150 guests. Productions typically require about four weeks of preparation and rehearsal, followed by another four weeks of performances.

For Julie, returning to Carnegie Mellon as part of her professional work carries a special meaning.

鈥淚t鈥檚 so cool,鈥� she says. 鈥淐arnegie Mellon has been so welcoming.鈥�

Reflecting on the path that led her from social work to public policy and now to the performing arts, she sees a common thread.

鈥淚t feels like home,鈥� she says. 鈥淟ike I鈥檝e come full circle.鈥�

And wherever her work takes her next, Julie says the same guiding principle will remain: Look at every challenge from multiple perspectives 鈥� and keep searching for solutions.