Julia E. Heath is a dedicated advocate for independent music, drawing from her diverse experience in venue and festival operations. Having worked in independent live entertainment since college, Julia became involved in industry advocacy during the pandemic shut-down. She has worked to advance the interests of independent venues, notably in California, where she represented over 600 venues, promoters, and festivals while successfully advocating for the federal Shuttered Venue Operators Grant in 2020. Her work in California helped secure $150 million in state-level support for venues and spearhead the creation of a specialized "music venue" liquor license.Now, Julia serves as the Policy & Outreach Manager at the New Orleans Office of Nighttime Economy, where she continues her advocacy efforts. Additionally, she keeps her boots on the ground by managing a portion of festival operations at Outside Lands in San Francisco.Julia remains committed to fostering community-driven advocacy and shaping a brighter future for live entertainment policy, ensuring inclusive and vibrant experiences for all involved.