Julie Iriondo is chief of the Media Relations Branch in the U.S. Census Bureau’s Public Information Office (PIO). Julie’s branch plays a key role in developing communications strategies, tactics and messaging surrounding Census Bureau data releases, and is responsible for keeping the news media informed of these releases through a variety of news products and events. In addition, her branch provides media expertise and training to Census Bureau executive leadership and subject-matter area staff.

Julie is also an Editorial Board member for America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers. America Counts features stories on a variety of topics covering Census Bureau data. In 2018, she received a Bronze Medal Award — the highest honorary recognition by the Census Bureau — for her contributions to the America Counts Launch Team. She also received Bronze Medal Awards for her roles as part of the PIO External Communications Support Team in 2020 and the Pulse Surveys Communications Team in 2021.

Prior to joining the Census Bureau in 2017, Julie worked 27 years as a broadcast journalist and earned recognition for stories and documentaries on a variety of topics including Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. She also produced an award-winning image and job recruiting campaign for the federal judiciary.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism from Washington State University.