After 17 years of dedicated and visionary leadership, the Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN) announces that Julie Beem, Executive Director since January 2009, will be retiring from her role. The Board of Directors is pleased to share that Tracy Leonard will step into the position of Executive Director, leading ATN into its next chapter of growth and impact.
Since taking the helm in 2009, Julie has been the heart and driving force behind ATN’s expansion and influence. Under her leadership, ATN evolved from a small, primarily parent-support organization into an internationally recognized voice in trauma-informed, attachment-focused care and education.
Among her many accomplishments, Julie:
- Transformed ATN into a leading organization in the trauma-informed movement, amplifying the voices of families raising children impacted by trauma and advancing trauma-informed awareness across education and mental health systems.
- Expanded ATN’s programming and reach, launching accessible resources, webinars, conferences, and professional development opportunities that have supported thousands of parents, caregivers, and educators across the US and around the world.
- Strengthened ATN’s organizational foundation, building sustainable partnerships, expanding funding streams, and developing a dedicated team committed to ATN’s mission of supporting children in the families, schools and communities.
Julie’s leadership has always been grounded in lived experience, compassion, and an unwavering belief that every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported. Her work has shaped not only ATN, but the broader trauma-informed movement.
As we honor Julie’s extraordinary contributions, we are thrilled to welcome Tracy Leonard as ATN’s next Executive Director.
Tracy brings both deep institutional knowledge and broad professional expertise to this role. She most recently served as ATN’s Board President from 2023–2025, where she provided strategic leadership during a period of continued growth and strengthened the organization’s governance and long-term planning. Her service on the board has given her a comprehensive understanding of ATN’s mission, community, and operational priorities.
Professionally, Tracy has built a career at the intersection of child advocacy, prevention, and education. Through her work with Darkness to Light, she has been a champion for child sexual abuse prevention and adult responsibility in protecting children, helping communities implement evidence-informed prevention education. Her commitment to child safety aligns seamlessly with ATN’s trauma-informed and attachment-focused approach.
In addition, Tracy brings valuable experience as a school leader and designer/implementor of large-scale public education initiatives. She understands firsthand the challenges educators face and the transformative impact resilient-building practices can have on student success and school culture.
Tracy’s leadership style is collaborative, strategic, and mission-centered. She brings a clear vision for expanding ATN’s reach, deepening partnerships, and increasing access to practical, research-informed resources for families and professionals. Under her leadership, ATN will continue to:
- Expand trauma-informed and attachment-focused education for schools and communities
- Elevate family voices in policy and systems change
- Strengthen partnerships to ensure children impacted by trauma can thrive
- Innovate programming to meet the evolving needs of caregivers and educators
- Strengthen infrastructure, clarifying strategies and building systems that support sustainable growth
The mission remains clear: to create a world where children impacted by trauma and attachment challenges are understood, supported, and given every opportunity to heal and succeed.
We are deeply grateful to Julie for 17 years of transformative leadership and look forward with enthusiasm and confidence to the future under Tracy’s guidance. As of April 1, 2026, Tracy will assume the role of Executive Director, with Julie remaining on staff through June 30, to assist during the transition.
Please join us in celebrating Julie’s remarkable legacy and warmly welcoming Tracy Leonard into this important role.
With appreciation and hope,
The Board of Directors
Attachment & Trauma Network, Inc.
