PCDA Appoints Julie Miller as new Executive Director Ushering in a new era in leadership
Pasadena, CA (9-24-24) — The Board of Directors of Professional Child Development Associates (PCDA) announced today that Julie Miller has been appointed as the Executive Director of the organization. Julie Miller, a longstanding member of the PCDA family, has held multiple leadership positions within the organization, most recently serving as Clinical Director from the fall of 2019 to 2024.
For over 25 years, PCDA has provided collaborative, multi-disciplinary and integrated care that emphasizes and amplifies the relationships and connections in the lives of young people with developmental differences, Autism, and other medical or genetic disorders to help children and families thrive. With an estimation from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network of 1 in 36 children being identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), PCDA stands out as a trailblazer and vital resource in breaking barriers to care and creating a community where young people with Autism and developmental disabilities have a future in which they are empowered, fulfilled, and feel the security of belonging.
Miller was instrumental in guiding the organization and assuring continuity of this essential clinical care for the over 500 young people with developmental disabilities and their families served by PCDA through the COVID pandemic and a move to their current location near Oak Knoll and Green in Pasadena.
Miller succeeds Pamela Jacobson, Interim Executive Director, who has led the organization through an evaluation and restructuring process following a series of changes, including the retirement of the organization’s founders, Dr. Diane Cullinane and Mimi Winer, and expansion of hybrid work resulting from the pandemic.
“I’m honored to build on the legacy of our founders in supporting families through high-quality services that emphasize the power of relationships. I look forward to extending these relationships and building a stronger, more connected, inclusive community,” states Miller.
Miller is celebrated for her collaborative skills in professional organizations, speaking engagements at local and international conferences, and exceptional leadership. As a seasoned clinician, she dedicates herself to personalized care founded on strengths and connections, influencing her leadership approach, and fortifying the organization.
Miller is an expert in not only the unique therapeutic approach offered by PCDA which centers around the critical role social-emotional development has on overall human development but is also a champion for inclusiveness and access to care for individuals with disabilities. From participating on advisory committees of Regional Centers, a division of California’s Department of Developmental services and active participation in the DIR Floortime Coalition of California, to providing consultation to local museums, libraries, and theaters, Miller comes to the role with a powerful history of breaking barriers to allow for authentic engagement for all. “For neurodiverse children and teens,” states Miller, “inclusiveness means recognizing and embracing their unique ways of experiencing the world, not just accommodating them. Core to our mission is recognizing the value each person brings and creating an environment where everyone can live fully and thrives.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Julie Miller into the role of Executive Director,” said Anne Perry, Chair of the PCDA Board of Directors, “and am excited to see PCDA flourish with her dynamic, wise, and compassionate leadership.”
Miller is a licensed Occupational therapist who holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychobiology and received her Master’s of Occupational Therapy from Chatham College in Pittsburg, PA in 2003. She is a certified expert in DIR® (Developmental, Individual-differences, and Relationship-based model), published author, and a sought-after speaker and advisor in pediatric development, feeding, and creating inclusive and accessible environments.
