Julie Doleman is a global consumer and technology executive with more than 25 years of experience building and scaling digital businesses, leading transformation and helping simplify complex, highly regulated industries for consumers.
Today, Julie is the Chief Operating Officer at Patient.com, where she leads strategy and operations for a consumer-first healthcare platform designed to make navigating the U.S. healthcare system simpler and more transparent.
Before joining Patient.com, Julie spent almost two decades at Experian, helping grow its consumer business from an early stage acquisition into a global business generating more than $1 billion in revenue. Throughout her career, whether in financial services, gaming or healthcare, she has been passionate about using technology, innovation and operational excellence to solve real consumer problems and create products and experiences that people genuinely trust and value.
How did you land your current role? Was it planned?
It definitely wasn’t planned! I knew our CEO, Dan Johnson, from our time together at Experian. He and the founding team had deep expertise in healthcare data, revenue cycle management and the B2B side of the industry, but their vision was to build a consumer-first healthcare administration business. They recognised they were missing someone with experience building and scaling consumer businesses, so Dan reached out to ask if I’d be willing to share my perspective.
As it happened, I was on holiday at the time, so I told him I’d come into the office for a day to facilitate a strategy discussion and help shape the consumer proposition. One day turned into another, and before I knew it, I was helping build the business. That was two years ago, and it’s been an incredible opportunity to bring consumer thinking to an industry that’s traditionally been designed around institutions rather than the people it serves.
What are the key roles in your field of work, and why did you choose your current expertise?
Technology is a very broad field, and one of the things I love most about it is that it needs people with all different strengths and skills. You’ll find software engineers, data scientists, product managers, designers, marketers, customer experience leaders, cybersecurity experts, AI specialists, and commercial and operational leaders all working together to build products and solve real world customer problems.
My expertise sits at the intersection of business, technology and people. I’ve spent my career leading consumer businesses through periods of rapid growth and transformation, helping organisations use technology, data and AI to create better experiences for customers and drive sustainable growth.
I didn’t choose operations because I was fascinated by the process, I chose it because it’s where strategy becomes reality. I love bringing together talented teams, aligning them behind a common vision, and turning ambitious ideas into measurable impact. Whether it’s expanding into new markets, scaling digital businesses, or transforming established organisations, I find enormous satisfaction in helping people and businesses achieve more than they thought possible.
Did you (or do you) have a role model in tech or business in general?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a mentor who started out as my executive coach over 20 years ago and has since become a trusted mentor and close friend. He has had a profound impact on my career, who I am as a leader and my life.
He’s challenged me to think bigger, pushed me well beyond my comfort zone, and helped me understand how I want to show up as a leader and as a person. He’s never let me settle or become complacent, and his honest, sometimes tough-love approach has helped me navigate some of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my career. Looking back, one of the greatest gifts he’s given me is the confidence to take risks and the belief that growth comes from continuously learning, stretching yourself and staying curious. Those lessons continue to shape the way I lead today.
What are you most proud of in your career, so far?
I’m most proud of helping build businesses that create lasting impact. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of growing organisations from early stage ventures into global businesses, leading transformations in established companies, and helping teams navigate periods of significant change.
One of the defining themes of my career has been a willingness to take calculated risks whether that’s stepping into unfamiliar industries, taking on turnaround situations, building new capabilities from the ground up, or moving to new countries. Some of those decisions have been challenging, but they’ve also been the moments where I’ve learned the most, grown the fastest, and created the greatest value.
While I’m proud of the commercial results, what gives me the greatest satisfaction is seeing the people I’ve worked with go on to become exceptional leaders themselves. Creating an environment where talented people can thrive, challenge the norm, and have the confidence to take calculated risks is something I value deeply.
I love leaving businesses and teams stronger than I found them, whether that’s through sustainable growth, a stronger culture, better customer experiences, or embracing technology and AI in ways that genuinely improve people’s lives.
What does an average work day look like for you?
I am a few weeks away from my son going to college which means I am about to become an empty nester. As someone who has spent the last 22 years as a working mom, balancing kids, extensive travel and demanding roles, this next chapter is going to take some getting used to.
For now my day starts with exercise which is a great way to clear my head and give me a chance to breathe. Then I love the fact that no single day is the same, I bounce from solving problems, helping my team navigate obstacles, finding ways to effectively communicate strategy and priorities and obsessing about what our customers will find most useful.
Are there any specific skills or traits that you notice companies look for when you’re searching for roles in your field?
While technical expertise will always be important, I’ve found that the qualities companies value most are often the human ones. Curiosity, adaptability and resilience have become essential as technology continues to evolve at such a rapid pace. Employers are looking for people who can learn quickly, embrace change and lead others through uncertainty.
I’d also add communication to that list. Some of the most successful leaders I’ve worked with aren’t necessarily the most technical, they’re the ones who can simplify complexity, bring people together around a shared vision, and turn ideas into action. Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of commercial thinking. Understanding your customer, solving real problems and creating value for the business are skills that will always be in demand, regardless of how technology changes.
Has anyone ever tried to stop you from learning and developing in your professional life, or have you found the tech sector supportive?
I’ve always been hugely passionate about personal growth and development and I firmly believe it’s as much our own responsibility as it is our employer’s to invest in it. For me, having a clear development plan with defined goals and measurement is essential for identifying gaps and deliberately building the skills needed for the next stage of my career.
I’ve never felt that anyone actively tried to stop me from learning or developing. In fact, one of the biggest lessons I learned was that I needed to be much more intentional about communicating my ambitions. Early in my career, I assumed that hard work alone would speak for itself. Over time and through a few hard lessons, I realised that leaders can only support your development if they understand where you want to go. Being open about my aspirations and asking for the opportunities and experiences that would help me grow became one of the most important career muscles I developed.
Have you ever faced insecurities and anxieties during your career, and how did you overcome them?
Absolutely. I think anyone who has continued to push themselves throughout their career has experienced moments of self-doubt. For me, those moments have usually come when I’ve taken on roles that pushed me outside of their comfort zone. If I walk into a new role and my inner dialogue is “holy sh*t I have no idea what I am doing” then I know I’ve made a great decision!
Early in my career, I realised that confidence doesn’t come from knowing all the answers, it comes from a willingness to ask the questions others may not, trusting in my ability to do hard things and surrounding myself with smart people that are excellent at the things I’m not. Rather than letting insecurity hold me back, I’ve learned to see it as a sign that I’m growing. Every time I’ve stepped outside my comfort zone, I’ve developed new skills, broadened my perspective and become stronger and more confident.
Entering the world of work can be daunting. Do you have any words of advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed?
We all feel overwhelmed at times, especially when we’re starting something new. My biggest piece of advice is to take one step at a time and not put pressure on yourself to have everything figured out (none of us do). Lean into the fear instead of shying away from it, because growth almost always sits just outside your comfort zone.
Be clear about what your non-negotiables are in a role, whether that’s opportunities to learn, a supportive culture or work that excites you. And don’t try to do it alone. Surround yourself with people you trust, ask questions, seek out mentors, and remember that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Careers are marathons, not sprints, and every experience, good or bad, will teach you something valuable.
What advice would you give other women wanting to reach their career goals in technology?
Be intentional about your career rather than waiting for it to happen. Be clear about where you want to go, communicate your ambitions, and actively seek out the experiences that will help you get there. Don’t be afraid to take on roles that feel like a stretch, some of the biggest opportunities in my career came from saying yes before I felt completely ready.
Equally important, invest in your network. Find mentors, sponsors and people who will challenge and support you, but remember that no one will advocate for your career more than you. Finally, stay curious, technology evolves incredibly quickly, and the people who thrive are those who keep learning, embrace change and see uncertainty as an opportunity rather than a barrier.
