Woodcraft Rangers CEO, Julee Brooks, received a nomination for the 2025 Los Angeles Executive Leadership Awards held by LA Times Studios.
The judging committee evaluated candidates based on noteworthy successes and accomplishments during the last 12-24 months, consistent demonstration of strong leadership throughout the span of his/her career, short- and long-term impact he/she has made to their organization and/or industry’s growth, and community involvement and board memberships that showcase the nominee’s leadership beyond their organization.
Julee Brooks, CEO of Woodcraft Rangers, is a visionary nonprofit leader and social entrepreneur. Under her leadership, Woodcraft has experienced exponential growth and innovation, now serving over 25,000 TK-12 students annually across LA County through industry-leading, inclusive expanded learning programs, outdoor education, and workforce development initiatives.
Julee’s focus on inclusivity and innovation has been instrumental in enhancing Woodcraft’s ability to serve youth and families. One initiative, Lifecraft, not only supports youth in career exploration but also invests in the professional growth and economic mobility of staff, fostering greater job satisfaction and retention.
Julee prioritizes early learning amid rising childcare challenges—cost, quality, and safety—for working families, ensuring young children receive a strong educational foundation. As demand grows with the rollout of Universal Transitional Kindergarten, she has expanded initiatives that support both students and educators, including launching an early childhood apprenticeship program. By investing in a diverse, well-trained teaching workforce, she is creating a sustainable pipeline of educators equipped to meet the evolving needs of today’s youth.
A strong advocate for inclusion, Julee has led efforts to expand Woodcraft’s capacity to support neurodiverse youth and youth with disabilities. The Inclusion Department offers specialized training for staff, one-on-one student support, and strengthened partnerships with the Department of Developmental Services and local Regional Centers to ensure that all children can fully engage in Woodcraft programs. Julee is also a member of the ProFound Network, a professional collective of disability-inclusive leaders.
Under Julee’s leadership, Woodcraft continues to cultivate a people-centered culture where staff feel supported and empowered to grow, positioning the organization as a national model for innovative, mission-driven workplaces. This recognition earned Woodcraft Rangers a spot as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Workplaces for Innovators in 2024.
Woodcraft’s new Outdoor Education and Retreat Center marks an exciting chapter as the permanent home for Camp Woodcraft. This dedicated space will provide thousands of youth with year-round outdoor healing experiences through school retreats and programs that foster resilience, confidence, and a deep connection to nature. Designed to support healing and growth—especially in response to the collective trauma of the pandemic and wildfires—the center will also serve as a hub for community building and environmental education. Under Julee’s leadership, Woodcraft was awarded the American Camp Association’s 2024 Eleanor P. Eells Award for Excellence in Evaluation and Research, recognizing its commitment to impactful, evidence-based programming.
Julee is also deeply involved in advocacy, serving on multiple key advisory boards, including the California Advisory Committee on Before and After School Programs and the California Department of Education’s Expanded Learning Division Policy Committee. She’s also an Advisory Board Chairperson for Expand LA and sits on the Santa Clarita Valley Education Foundation Board. Her thought leadership and advocacy have earned her recognition in national publications, including EdSource, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Afterschool Today. Julee was named a finalist for 2024 Nonprofit Executive of the Year and 2021 Woman CEO of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Julee’s leadership extends beyond the organization, as she frequently speaks at conferences across the country, sharing her expertise in expanded learning, workforce development, and nonprofit innovation. Her advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion continues to shape policies and programs that have a lasting impact on youth and families throughout Los Angeles County and beyond.
You can learn more about the LA Times Studios and the Los Angeles Executive Leadership Awards by visiting the LA Times Website.