Julia Rubio

Julia graduated from Miami University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in music education and currently serves as Executive Director of The NAMM Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). In this role, she leads the Foundation’s strategic direction and oversees its global portfolio of grantmaking and scholarships that advance music learning, leadership development, and workforce development in the music industry. She also directs the Foundation’s national recognitions, including the Best Communities for Music Education Award, and oversees NAMM’s Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, CA, a cultural centerpiece in San Diego County that celebrates the history and impact of music-making and the industry that supports it.

Before joining The NAMM Foundation in 2024, she served as Executive Director of the Merakey Foundation, where she led grantmaking for one of the nation’s largest behavioral health organizations. Her career began as a public school music teacher in Hamilton, OH, and evolved through leadership roles with arts and cultural organizations in Philadelphia, PA, dedicated to community impact and expanding access to music.

Julia also holds an M.A. in Performing Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago and the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation from the American College of Financial Services.