Meet Our Team

Julie Kurtz is the founder and visionary behind COBI, with over 25 years of experience in education and brain integration. She has trained thousands of educators, parents, and clinicians worldwide in trauma-responsive practices and social-emotional strategies.

Director of Government Relations at CCRC and co-founder of the Center for Equity in Early Childhood Education. Co-author on culturally responsive self-care and trauma-responsive leadership, she leads policy and equity efforts and is authorized to train on Culturally Responsive Self-Care Practices.

Co-Clinical Case Manager at Family Paths and licensed LMFT. Experienced in ECMH consultation, psychotherapy, and reflective supervision; bilingual in Spanish and certified in Circle of Security and Teaching Pyramid. Mentor-level trainer with the Center for Optimal Brain Integration®.

Executive Director of the Black Women in Early Childhood Collective with 25+ years across ECE, K-12, and higher ed. Co-author on equity for boys of color, community leader, and mentor committed to advancing equity and reflective practice.

ECE specialist and Trauma-Responsive Care Training & Coaching Coordinator for California CCRRN. Leads ToT certifications, and delivers trauma-responsive training with specialized lenses including LGBTQ and race equity. Mentor-level trainer with COBI®.

Bilingual/bicultural ECE professional with 30+ years of experience. Certified trainer across Abriendo Puertas, Teaching Pyramid, Protective Factors and COBI modules 100/200/300; a grounding force for communities experiencing trauma.

LCSW and IFMH Specialist with 20+ years in early childhood mental health. Specializes in dyadic therapy and consultation, with advanced training in the impact of adversity on the developing brain. Mentor-level authorized trainer (Module 100).

30+ years in ECE as teacher, director, trainer, and coach. Coaches providers through a trauma-responsive lens and leads systematic change via statewide collaboratives; pursuing an MA focused on trauma-responsive education.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving children, youth, and families with a focus on the Latinx community. Private practice owner in San Francisco; bilingual and culturally rooted. Authorized to train in several COBI trauma-responsive modules.

Board-Certified Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy and Early Intervention. Provides caregiver coaching and consultation for inclusive, trauma-responsive practices. Authorized to train across multiple COBI modules including infant/toddler and disabilities intersections.

Mental Health & Disabilities Coordinator for City of Oakland Head Start. Deep commitment to inclusion and trauma-responsive practices; authorized across COBI Modules 100, 200, 300 and disabilities intersections.

25+ years in ECE specializing in inclusive, supportive environments. Education Specialist at SETA Head Start, PC-CARE certified, Teaching Pyramid coach, and CLASS observer. Authorized across multiple COBI modules.

Research psychologist focused on early childhood evaluation and mental health consultation. Experienced in qualitative/quantitative methods and community-based research; newly authorized Module 100 trainer with COBI.

Nearly three decades in ECE across infant/toddler, preschool, and school-age programs. Biliterate trainer/coach with certifications in DRDP, ASQ, CLASS, and Teaching Pyramid; authorized across multiple COBI trauma-responsive modules.

Coach and trainer specializing in stress-reducing, trauma-responsive, and resilience-building practices. ECE professor and consultant providing workshops and customized programs; authorized to train in COBI modules.

15 years supporting ECE programs through inclusive practices. Former Inclusion Specialist for SF Inclusion Networks; now consulting with a focus on equitable, high-quality practices. Authorized trainer for COBI trauma-responsive modules.

Program Support Manager at SETA Head Start (ERSEA, Family Engagement, Home-Based) and community college instructor focused on social-emotional and leadership development; authorized trauma trainer with COBI.

ECE faculty at Shasta College with 30+ years of experience. Certified Trauma Trainer leading COBI Modules 100 and 300; develops trauma courses to address urgent regional needs.