Our Board of Directors

Julie Swindler, LCSW, received her bachelor’s degree in 1982 from Florida Atlantic University and master’s degree in social work in 1985 from Barry University. Her career experiences include two years’ internship in mental health and child/family social services and direct service social work practitioner for four years in the nonprofit family and children services arena, including two years at Families First. She became Chief Executive Officer at Families First in 1992. Throughout her career, Ms. Swindler has continued developing skills in program design and implementation, as well as remaining current on clinical practice specific to infant mental health services (the social emotional wellness of children birth to five). She is a strong community collaborator and stays abreast of local and national community and political issues that impact children and families.

Within her profession, she fosters a spirit of cooperation, rather than competition. She has championed collaborative ventures involving multiple organizations and agencies when she sees that they are the best means to serve the clients.  She has been an initiator of innovative programs to meet needs not widely recognized such as the Kin Support Project (educating and empowering relatives who find themselves caring for a relative’s children.

She is a founding board member and past president of the Nonprofit Chamber of Palm Beach County that was created to provide a forum for the executive directors of local social service organizations to network, collaborate, and support each other. She has been a board member of the Glades Initiative since 2002; board member of the United Way of Palm Beach County as a representative of the agency executive council from 2010-2013; she serves on the Fetal Infant Mortality Review team; Is a graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County Class of 2012; and is a past board member and secretary of Executive Women of the Palm Beaches as well as serves on the membership committee.  In addition to community work, she serves as an Extraordinary Minister at Holy Name Church, visits the sick, and is a member of the Finance Committee.