Meet Madeline Julian
While Madeline Julian may be new to Facilities Management as the assistant vice president of Capital Project Management, she is no stranger to Washington Heights and its vibrancy. Of her return to Washington Heights, she says, "I'm Dominican, so it feels like home. I love the energy here. Coming back and being able to step out and see the changes has been great. There are many more opportunities now.” As Madeline settles into her new role, she recently shared her thoughts on design and construction, world travel, and the role art has played in her life!
What is your favorite thing about your current role?
I get to shape the future of the campus! It’s really quite a unique opportunity to prepare the campus for the future and—particularly our physical assets—while protecting what we have to advance CUIMC’s strategic goals. Growing in a sustainable way promotes education, research, and patient care. I love that we continuously get to promote the well-being of our buildings, people and our community.
Have you ever lived outside of NYC?
I lived and practiced architecture in Rome, Italy. It was a huge responsibility since I was so young in my career at the time. I can speak and understand Italian. To this day, I find it hard to order pasta at restaurants—I’ve gotten picky! I also lived in the United Arab Emirates. I spent time there designing a 2.5 million square foot medical center. It was an incredible design experience. I also got to work in Southeast Asia and collaborate with consultants all over the world.
Hidden talents?
I’m an artist. I love to paint and draw. I don’t do it as often as I would like to, but I’ve loved it since middle school. Art has served as a vehicle to wherever I am now. I used to take a sketchbook with me whenever I would travel. I use art to help me understand different cultures and appreciate where I am. It has always been part of my journey—I would sketch anything and everything. The first time I went to Kyoto, I would sketch all the time. Sketching captures so much more than what a picture can and helps me take in a lot more. Early on when I was learning, it took me by surprise that learning to draw is really learning to see in different dimensions; light, listening, and looking at things from different perspectives.
Who are your role models/who has been a role model to you?
I have many role models! My grandmother raised me. Her best gift was her life—she lived to be 101! I was able to see how she changed over time and got wiser. Her gift to me was getting to see a glimpse of her life. She was all about listening more and speaking less. My dad didn’t have a lot but gave us what we needed and always focused on being kind, working hard, and being patient. The list goes on and on.
Author Toni Morrison is another role model–I always reread her work. I recently reread “the Bluest Eyes” – it resonates with me. We’re always searching to belong in places. I also consider impressionist artists who go out and draw instead of being in studio my role models, like Paul Cézanne and Claude Monet. Shigeru Ban is an innovator and architect whose work revolves around taking regular building materials that are accessible and sustainable (paper and cardboard, for example) and building effective, low-cost disaster relief housing. He’s done this a lot in places like Turkey and Rwanda. He uses his gift to give back, which inspires me.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I was so sure I was going to be a Disney cartoonist. I was perfecting my craft in middle school. I had sketches and sketches of cartoons. My teacher believed in me and told me to audition for Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. I had to sketch a still of a live subject. I was given a timeline to draw the figure in front of me in charcoal. For me, that was the first time doing a live drawing, and it was very different from what I was used to, but I got in. Upon graduating, I was shown the original sketch I did for my audition... I was so surprised they ever admitted me (laughs)!
How would you describe yourself in one word? Why?
Fair. I like to look at things in different ways.
What’s something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
I’ve tried durian, a rare fruit imported from Malaysia that you either love or hate. It has a very strong odor and I like to try new things. I tried it at a conference in Singapore. I believe you can really get to know someone through food and that food opens doors for friendship.