In our work on the MIPTA Council, I've admired Julian's ability to unite the leadership of many facets of our school community, including the district leaders, MISD staff, parent volunteers, and MI community members. Julian listens to all voices and effectively guides the Council with our students' well-being and success as his north star. As a School Board Director, Julian will bring his unique perspective and leadership skills and continue to lead our MISD community toward the best outcomes.

Dave Rosenbaum
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I am honored to endorse Julian Bradley for our Mercer Island School Board. In a time when open, respectful dialogue is more important than ever, Julian stands out as a true listener and bridge-builder. He has consistently demonstrated a rare ability to engage with people of all viewpoints—not just to hear them, but to genuinely understand them.

 Julian doesn’t shy from tough discussions, and he approaches every conversation with pragmatism and a commitment to finding common ground.

Whether it’s finding creative ways to keep the Island Park community connected through the pandemic years to leading the PTA council, Julian is a leader who prioritizes collaboration and respect over division, and thoughtful decision-making over impulse.

I wholeheartedly support Julian and encourage others to do the same.

Laura Oberto 
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What I deeply appreciate about Julian is how he invests incredible amounts of time to understand the experience of each individual, offering to meet with every single person who comes to him with a concern and that, after collecting multiple perspectives, he carefully thinks about how to move through a situation in a productive manner that ultimately serves the purpose. In this case, the well-being of all our children.

I have worked with Julian for close to two years now, first in my capacity as president of Lakeridge’s PTA and more recently as president elect of MISD’s PTA Council, under his leadership. We have been in small and large groups together, in discussion over various issues in multiple meetings, and I have witnessed Julian working collaboratively in partnership with all individuals in the room—parents, educators, administrators, community members and more, with a focus on honoring those who may not always be noticed, seen or heard.

A small vignette that I will always remember from the spring of 2024 at the annual MI PTA Council Awards ceremony, where we award outstanding volunteers and educators district wide who have made a difference for our schools and our students. I noticed that Julian was one of the last persons at the end to stay to put away the chairs and clean up after the large event. 

This is the epitome of what Julian represents to me: the person who will notice what’s needed, even if it’s the least glorious thing to do, and thoughtfully and quietly do the work that needs to be done, seeking no bigger reasons than to simply serve and be in service to all of our children. And for this reason and more, I believe that Julian is an excellent candidate for Mercer Island’s School Board and it is an honor to endorse him.

Sarah Karim 
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I first met Julian eight years ago when both of our youngest children were preschoolers together at the JCC. We reconnected when we were both serving on PTA committees, and later when we served together on PTA Council. Since his time as a preschool dad, and through to today, Julian has struck me as friendly, helpful, and caring about all the kids in the Mercer Island School District.

The years I have known and worked alongside Julian have shown me what kind of School Board Director he will be. Julian is an excellent listener, an efficient problem-solver, and deeply committed to the well-being and success of every student in our district. He has shown this for years in tangible ways, by showing up and doing the work. I have been in meetings with him where people have vastly different opinions and where emotions have gotten heated, and Julian stays calm, listens closely, and finds reasonable points of agreement to effectively solve problems. Julian has volunteered his time in our classrooms and our boardrooms and our district is the better for it. Becoming a School Board Director feels like a natural extension of Julian’s many years of service to our students.

I grew up in Mercer Island schools, and feel deeply invested in both preserving our history of excellent, well-rounded education and in evolving our schools to meet the needs of our changing community and world. I trust Julian to do this work and am grateful to have the opportunity to endorse him as a candidate for Mercer Island School Board Director.

Robin Li
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As a member of the PTA Council, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing Julian’s leadership firsthand. He approaches even the most challenging topics with grace, genuine curiosity, and an open mind—qualities that are all too rare and deeply needed. When decisions must be made about the direction the council takes, Julian is both thoughtful and decisive, ensuring outcomes that are fair and principled.

What sets Julian apart is his deep commitment to listening. He makes every effort to ensure that all voices are heard and respected, fostering a sense of trust and collaboration. I believe he also cares deeply about every child having access to the support and resources they need to thrive.

Julian would be a steady, compassionate, and justice-minded addition to the school board, and I endorse his candidacy.

Jessi Biagi
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I have worked with Julian for the last two years on Mercer Island PTA Council Board. As the Council President, Julian has shown great leadership and insight, working well with everyone on the board. I highly recommend Julian to be on the Mercer Island School Board and endorse his candidacy. He is someone who can bring the community together.

Dr. Julie Hsieh
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I first noticed Julian in 2016 as one of the very few dads volunteering every week in classrooms at Island Park Elementary. I would regularly see him walking his kids to school and back home, regardless of the weather. We got to know each other over the years since he was a constant volunteer presence at practically every movie night, cultural fair, talent show, teacher appreciation, field trip, and hearing test day.

Julian is a passionate advocate for our public schools and, most importantly, for all Mercer Island students and families. In his multiple PTA roles and as a community leader, he has demonstrated a long and consistent track record of pragmatic leadership and thoughtful judgment. But most of all, Julian is a leader who is exceptional at collaborating with others in an effort to realize positive results. He has a unique ability to criticize constructively, to listen and learn from diverse viewpoints, and to lean in and work on solutions, instead of taking the easy road and simply pointing out problems that other people should do the work to solve.

Our District will continue to face challenges. Julian is an exceptional choice for the Mercer Island School Board based on his demonstrated ability to make difficult decisions, collaborate with others, and above all else, put the students first to ensure that all students are provided the resources and support they need to reach their full potential.

Zander Doroski
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As a Mercer Island mom, community volunteer and proud alum of MISD, I am pleased to endorse Julian Bradley for Mercer Island School Director. I offer this endorsement having seen Julian’s leadership in our PTA firsthand. Julian is consistently open-minded, a true team player, and an exceptional listener. Where others simply listen to reply, Julian listens to understand. 

The Mercer Island School District is at an inflection point while the importance of strong public education has never been clearer. Islanders need a school board comprised of strong leaders focused on the mission of improving our schools to benefit our learners. Julian’s commitment to that mission is unwavering— and his proven track record reflects it. 

Islanders deserve leaders who walk the talk- those have volunteered in the classrooms their decisions affect. Julian is that leader, and I’m proud to endorse him for school board. We are fortunate to have him in our community, and I’m confident our schools will thrive under his leadership.

Meghan Brandabur Banta

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I’m thrilled that Julian is running for school board—he’s exactly the kind of leader we need. I don’t usually make endorsements, but Julian is an easy exception. I’ve known him for years, and time after time, he’s the first to step up—whether it’s organizing school events, leading as PTA president, serving on committees, or coaching youth sports.

Just this season, our girls’ softball team almost didn’t happen. It was the first year Mercer Island had a “Majors” softball team, and we had no coach. Julian didn’t just volunteer—he took charge, brought energy and commitment, and even recruited an assistant coach with college softball experience. Thanks to him, the girls had a full season.

Julian is a doer, a collaborator, and someone who leads with integrity. He is smart, dedicated, and deeply invested in our community—and he has my full support. I’m voting for Julian 110%!

Katie Penny Shea

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It’s an honor to endorse Julian Bradley for the MI School Board. Julian has a proven track record of leadership and working with our school district. I am confident he is the candidate to restore trust and collaboration to the MI School Board.

In my 11 years in the school district, I’ve seen Julian do the hard work, touching every aspect of the student and family experience on Mercer Island. Julian was my predecessor on Island Park Elementary’s PTA. Throughout the years, Julian volunteered at Island Park Elementary’s Book-in-a-Bag program, rising through the ranks to lead our PTA as Co-President and now leading the PTA Council. When he passed the PTA President’s role on to me, it was after a long period of unifying our school community during the extraordinary pandemic years. During the Long Range Facility Planning process, Julian was an important voice as an Island Park parent.

Serving as School Board Director is natural next step for Julian. Julian understands that our schools are pillars of our community. With his own deep understanding and experience advocating for students, he can be relied upon to collaborate with the school board in a dignified manner. He may not agree with the school district all of the time, but he has the ability to bring people together and find common ground and work towards a solution.

Please join me in endorsing Julian Bradley for MI School Board.

Kirsten Duell