Like Jack Nadel, Julie Nadel is also an accomplished and award-winning entrepreneur, speaker and philanthropist. Julie, together with her late husband Jack Nadel for 14 years, married for 11, was an avid supporter of Jack’s final mission of fostering greater entrepreneurship globally, and now she’s picking up where he left off, as well as continuing to run and support the efforts of The Nadel Foundation.
Julie became an entrepreneur when she started her catering and event planning company, Parties Plus, “from scratch” in her house kitchen in 1978, which grew quickly and was bought out by a public company just 12 years later in 1990, having developed her business while also being a mom of two young girls. Nadel sucessfully grew Parties Plus to such a high-level of prestige over such a short amount of time from quickly becoming the “go-to” caterer for countless celebrity weddings and high profile events, including The Super Bowl and many others, as one of the first Southern California catering companies to introduce top level restaurant/banquet services to off-premise events.
In 1987, she was awarded the Certificate of Achievement from the “Who’s Who in Professional and Executive Women,” in Los Angeles, California, and has also appeared on the cover of LA Magazine.
Further into the 1990’s she became involved philanthropically with UCLA’s Jonsson Cancer Center and organized “Gourmet Galas” for seven years, which raised in excess of $4 million for Seed Grants at the Center. Her Co-Chair was Barbara Fairchild who was Editor in Chief of Bon Appetit Magazine during that period. She secured the Celebrity Chefs (from Charlie Trotter to Roy Yamaguchi) and the event was held at the Amalfi Drive home of Dennis Tito (the gentleman who flew into space). She coordinated all the details.
Each year the tent was themed differently but the format was always the same, which featured famous chefs and a live auction emceed by Monty Hall—an old friend whom everyone loved. The auction consisted several fantastic items and something Julie created—common place now—called “Fund a Need,” which was a direct 100% tax deductible donation. That initial “Fund a Need” raised about $150,000 in about just two minutes. At Sansum Clinic’s 90th Luncheon they also used this successful fundraising tactic to raise more than $100,000 in about the same amount of time. That luncheon netted $300,000, which is unique for fundraising in the Santa Barbara area.
The Nadel’s also contributed for the upgrade of the Lobby, Gastroenterology and Surgery waiting areas at Sansum Clinic’s Pueblo facility. The Lobby was named in their honor in November, 2009. Sansum Clinic has hosted a number of events in the lobby including the Women’s Council Events and a reception for a Visiting Surgeon yearly.
Julie was also a driving forces behind the upgrade of the Oncology Department at Pueblo, which was completed in March of 2011. The campaign set a goal of $100,000, with $137,000 successfully raised to facilitate upgrades for new flooring, paint, photography, furniture, and infusion chairs. The campaign brought in many new first-time donors to Sansum Clinic.
In 2012 the Nadel’s generously renovated the Pueblo OB/GYN Sansum Clinic facility in honor of Dr. David Raphael. The upgrade was completed in October 2012 and a reception was held. All the artwork is photography that was submitted by the Doctors and their families in the office, that has created a genuine family and heartfelt atmosphere for patients and their loved ones.
In addition, Julie has been Co-Chair of Sansum Clinic’s Women’s Council for several years where relevant issues are brought forth with wonderful professional speakers and Q&A’s.
In November of 2012, Julie Nadel was named Volunteer of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, for all of Santa Barbara County.
Julie was also a co-chair for the May 2013 Gala with Jay Leno to celebrate the partnership of Cancer Center of Santa Barbara with Sansum Clinic. This event was considered by many to be THE EVENT of the year!
In 2014, Assembly Member Das Williams from the California State Legislature gave Julie a Certificate of Recognition along with the Pacific Coast Business Times for her distinguished Champions in Healthcare Award.
Julie has been a featured speaker at many catering and events industry conferences, healthcare, philanthropic and entrepreneurial events, including alongside Jack at Tory Johnson’s Spark & Hustle events.
She and her late husband, founder of the world renowned company Jack Nadel International, have always lead by example generously giving of their time, talent and treasure.
Julie Nadel shares about the Elly Nadel Music Therapy Program
SBCC Cuts Ribbon on New Jack and Julie Nadel Business School
Surviving and Thriving in Business with Julie Nadel
Jay Leno Hosts Magical Evening for New Partnership for Cancer Care
Jack and Julie Nadel of The Nadel Foundation, Discuss Philanthropy, Effective Non-Profit Development and Entrepreneurship on “Community Matters” Radio Show
