Dr. Julie Widman

CO-FOUNDER, FRIENDZY

🎞️ Watch a video intro from Julie

TOPIC: Strengths-Based Teams: Building Connection, Community, and Collective Impact

Imagine a school culture where every educator feels seen, valued, and equipped—not just to teach, but to thrive as part of a unified team. This powerful, interactive professional development experience is designed to do just that.

Educators and administrators will walk away with a dynamic team-building tool rooted in the Core Value Index (CVI) which is a simple yet powerful assessment that helps individuals understand their innate strengths and how they naturally contribute to the team. By uncovering what drives each team member at their core, schools can foster greater empathy, communication, and collaboration.

BIO:

Julie  is the co-founder of Friendzy. As a mother and educator, she has witnessed firsthand the growing crisis of social disconnection among children. With the rise of smartphones, kids have become the most technologically connected yet socially disconnected generation, often struggling to navigate real-life friendships.

Determined to make a difference, Julie and her team explored the research behind character education and its critical role in child development. From this deep need, Friendzy was born—a PreK-8 program for faith-based and public schools that strengthens relationship skills, fosters meaningful connections, and builds strong, supportive communities.

Julie holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. She is passionate about equipping the next generation with the tools they need to form lasting friendships and thrive in a connected world.