“You never know when something you learned years ago may come in handy.”
Growing up as a dancer, Julia Zamrowski learned how to mend and sew from a young age, and those skills have come in handy during her time at Susan Davis International. Whether it’s been stitching up costumes during the World War I Centennial celebration and crafting makeshift lanyards for an event at a moment’s notice, she is keenly aware of how you need to be prepared for anything.
Julia first joined SDI at the start of 2018 as an intern, as she finished her undergraduate degree at George Washington University. Julia’s exemplary work as an intern led to her joining SDI full-time in October 2018.
Julia has been an invaluable member of our events team over the past two years, assisting with some of the largest events we produce for clients. Our work for the Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium (JWLS), the largest gathering of military women personnel annually, was recently recognized with a Gold Stevie Award and Julia’s efforts helped us win that award.
In recent months, Julia and fellow SDI team members have focused on shifting live events to virtual formats in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lessons learned from this summer will propel SDI’s events team forward as we traverse our collective new normal.
Besides being a huge Philadelphia sports fan — and receiving the proper amount of ribbing from her colleagues for it — here is more about Julia:
What’s the most inspiring news story you’ve seen during the coronavirus pandemic?
It would be impossible to pick one most inspiring story, but my heart was warmed to see that Malala Yousafzai graduated from Oxford in June with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. I can only imagine the pride and joy felt in the Yousafzai family that day, after all that Malala had fought for and advocated for over the years. Malala and her father both continue to advocate for girl’s education, so I’m sure there is more good news to come from the two of them.
In Covid-19-related news, a 9-year-old boy in Kenya was honored for inventing a stand-alone hand washing machine. Innovation knows no age!
What is your favorite country to visit, and why?
Every country I’ve visited has its own charm and is special in its own way, but the top two are definitely Greece and Spain. Next up on my places-to-see list is Tokyo. I can’t wait to be able to get back on a plane!
What’s the best book you’ve read in the past year, and why?
I couldn’t put down Rules of Civility, by Amor Towles, because the protagonist really resonated with me as a fellow twenty-something trying to make it in the city. Next up on my list is another by Towles, A Gentleman in Moscow, of which I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews.
What is your favorite place to visit, and why?
My favorite place in the world is Ocean City, New Jersey. Aside from being America’s Greatest Family Resort, OC is my second home and I have so many incredible memories growing up spending summers there with my sister and cousins. Surf Street Beach is my own personal slice of heaven.
Who is your favorite actor/actress? What’s your favorite film of theirs?
I am so fascinated by Helena Bonham Carter. She expertly portrays such a wild mix of characters. As a lifelong fan of Les Mis, I have to put Madame Thénardier at the top of the list of her characters (a role complemented by Sacha Baron Cohen’s Thénardier), with an honorable mention to Bellatrix Lestrange.
If you could have a Zoom call with any living person, who would it be?
I’d love to be face to face with Kelly Cutrone and have her lay down some harsh truths. She is a Fashion PR Legend and it would be an honor to hear how she worked her way to the top and what roadblocks she had to navigate around along the way.