Julia Fields is the Executive Director of the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation (CMCF), a national organization established to help address workforce development challenges in the commercial and public marine sector. The CMCF has 50 marine sector partners across the country. Under her leadership, the CMCF has launched a National Educational Outreach Strategy to raise awareness of marine careers and training pathways with educators, students and second-career seekers; developed tools and resources for employers and training institutions to improve attraction and retention; and increased the availability of marine labour force data and analysis. Julia joined the CMCF in August 2022 with more than 20 years’ experience in public affairs and journalism in Canada, the U.S. and the UK, including most recently as the Communications Director with the Chamber of Marine Commerce. Prior to joining the marine sector in 2010, Julia developed national communications strategies for the UK’s largest private broadcaster and held various journalist roles at national newspapers in Scotland, covering high-profile business stories across the UK, in Europe and Asia. She has a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Carleton University in Ottawa.