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Available to book

Design leader & management expert

Julie Zhuo

Transform design leadership with Julie Zhuo, speaker and former Facebook VP of Design. Julie works with growing teams to master management transitions, people-centric leadership, and digital transformation, delivering insights through her popular blog "The Year of the Looking Glass."

Trusted by Lyft, Facebook

Julie Zhuo, Speaker | Ex-Facebook Product Design VP, Management
Julie Zhuo

Julie Zhuo

San Francisco, United States

Typical fee range

$11k–25k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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Book Julie

San Francisco, United States

Starting from

$11k–25k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

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Julie Zhuo's biography

At a glance

  • Former Vice President of Design at Facebook
  • Author of The Year of the Looking Glass blog
  • Expert in leadership and digital transformation strategies
Julie Zhuo, the former Vice President of Design at Facebook, has significantly transformed her management role as her team has grown. Initially leading a small group, she has had to adapt to the challenges of managing a larger team, including the need to shift from direct to indirect management and understanding how people respond to her leadership. Julie emphasizes the constant need for context shifting, the importance of choosing battles wisely, and the paramountcy of people-centric skills. Her popular blog, "The Year of the Looking Glass," shares these insights, where she explores the intersection of technology and design, highlighting the power of positive leadership in inspiring teams. For those seeking practical management skills, guidance on providing impactful feedback, or steps towards digital transformation in business, Julie's experience and guidance serve as a valuable resource for personal and professional growth.

Julie's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

The Making Of A Manager: What To Do When Everyone Looks To You
The transition from employee to manager is cause for celebration and concern. Beyond making reports, how does a person manage other employees? What Are the most important skills a manager should know to create a successful team? When Julie Zhuo Went from top product designer to Facebook exec, she was faced with the daunting prospect of leading her peers. Fortunately, she had a mentor to guide her way, but many new managers are not so fortunate. Until now, that is. Based on compelling stories from her own experience, Zhuo provides audiences with the mentorship and skills they need to lead and succeed.
Mastering The Art Of Feedback
For leaders and employees, one of the most stressful situations can be the giving and receiving of feedback. Feedback is necessary for people to improve their work and grow in their role. When done well, feedback can help people improve and thrive in a position. When done poorly, feedback can create a culture of tension. After working for over a decade at Facebook, Julie Zhuo has learned the art of giving and receiving feedback. Using stories from her experience, she provides actionable takeaways that can improve the experience for both parties.

Why we recommend booking Julie

Julie offers your team insights into effective leadership, design innovation, and digital transformation strategies. Benefit from her vast experience at Facebook, learn practical management skills, and be inspired to foster a culture of creativity and positive change in your organization.

Check Julie's availability

Trusted by Lyft, Facebook

Testimonials

Julie does an incredible job simplifying the role of a manager. She pulls you in with all the awkward, funny and tough moments, and then takes you on an engaging journey. If you're a first time manager, you'll learn how to hit the ground running, and experienced managers will level-up their game!

Logan Green

CEO & Co-founder, Lyft

Julie is like that friend giving you some much-needed tips over coffee—her style cuts through industry jargon and gets at the heart of how to lead with confidence and help your team do their best work.

Nir Eyal

Author, HOOKED

Featured Projects

Julie Zhuo - The Making Of A Manager book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Julie Zhuo for my next event?
Email julie.zhuo@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Julie's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
What is Julie Zhuo's speaking style like?
Julie Zhuo draws on first-person narratives from her tenure at Facebook to structure her sessions, using these stories as the vehicle through which she delivers practical frameworks on management and feedback.
What topics does Julie Zhuo specialise in?
Julie Zhuo speaks on the transition into management, the art of giving and receiving feedback, and building people-centric leadership skills. She served as Vice President of Design at Facebook, where she scaled and led one of the company's largest design organisations.
Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

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Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

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Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

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Sorry, we do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, or any non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.

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How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

No problem! We often handle last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, comedian, awards or event host quickly — almost anywhere in the world. However, speaker availability might be limited as the event date approaches. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.