Exclusive Fierce Advocate Event–Virtual lunch with…Julie Brandle

ATHENA Akron is pleased to invite you to an Exclusive Fierce Advocate Member Event, VIRTUAL Lunch with a LEADER, presented by ATHENA Akron on Friday, September 19th, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.

Zoom link will be sent to all registered attendees closer to the date of the event.

Join us for this exclusive event with a limited availability of only 20 tickets.

Enjoy a casual VIRTUAL lunch featuring: Julie Brandle, President and Founder,

Metis Construction Services

We are pleased to welcome

Julie Brandle, President and Founder, Metis Construction Services, as our guest.

About Julie Brandle

Julie Brandle is the President and Founder of Metis Construction Services, a woman-owned commercial general contractor based in Kent, Ohio. Metis completes ground-up construction, renovations, and facilities maintenance projects across Ohio and in multiple states. With more than 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and public relations, Julie not only oversees these areas for Metis but also plays an integral role in shaping and managing the company’s overall business strategy.

An engaged civic leader, Julie currently serves as Board Chair of the Greater Akron Chamber and sits on numerous other boards, including Kent State University’s Construction Management Program, the Portage Development Board, Akron Civic Theatre, Associated Builders and Contractors Northern Ohio (Chair-Elect), and the Coleman and Hattie Larlham Foundations. A dedicated volunteer, she supports organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together, the Rotary Club of Akron, and the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio. A Lifetime Gold Award Girl Scout, Julie is also a recipient of the organization’s Women of Distinction award and the Thanks Badge for her outstanding service.

Julie is a past president of the Rotary Club of Akron and served as District Governor for Rotary District 6630. She is a graduate of Cuyahoga Falls High School and Bowling Green State University, where she earned a double major in Interpersonal and Public Communication and Soviet Studies, including a travel-grant scholarship to study in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Her leadership development includes graduation from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, ScaleratorNEO, Leadership Portage County, and Leadership Akron’s Class 37, where she proudly serves as Class President.

Julie is the daughter of Leann Soika and the late Rich Soika. She shares close ties with her siblings Rich (Sharon) and Kristen (Orlando), and is a beloved aunt to Orlando, RJ, Lydia, Ardynn, and Reid. Julie and her husband Steven reside in Brimfield Township, and are proud parents to Kimberly, a BGSU graduate and an Intervention Specialist in Northwest Ohio. Julie’s newest and most cherished title is “Grandma” to her 18-month-old grandson, Stetson.

T ICKETS: $10

ATHENA Akron, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect established women leaders, provide emerging women leaders with access to established women leaders, and to offer programs for leadership development.

Registrants and their guests agree to allow ATHENA Akron to use their likeness in photographs taken at the event unless they have otherwise notified ATHENA Akron in writing.