Photo of Julie Rigrish

Julie Rigrish

Executive Director of Southern Indiana Engagement


Julie Rigrish serves as the Executive Director of Southern Indiana Engagement, serving as the liaison for connecting people, organizations, and communities to Purdue University programs and resources for partnerships that solve needs, advance communities, and make global impacts.

Prior to this role, she held a dual position as Regional Director for the Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD) and Director of the Southeast Indiana Office of Engagement. At PCRD, Julie focused on regional and community development, leading teams in program development and implementation.

Julie co-led the creation of several key initiatives in collaboration with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), including the Hometown Business Preservation Initiative (HBPI), the Rural Opportunity Zone Initiative (ROZI), and the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program. Her work also extends to programs such as Economic Gardening, Digital Ready for Business, Work Ready, Remote Work Certificate, and Essential Digital Employability Skills. Additionally, Julie has contributed to research projects including feasibility studies, transportation and housing studies, and market impact analyses.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Science in Management and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU). She also earned a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources from Purdue University and a Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in addictions. She is a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and an associate Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor. She also has certifications in coaching, lending, insurance, finance, strategic planning, and economic gardening, where she served as a Strategic Research Team Leader.

Before joining Purdue, Julie worked in management within the finance industry, specializing in lending, business development, marketing, entrepreneurship, training, and coaching. She also spent several years as an Adjunct Professor.

A committed community leader, Julie has served on numerous educational and nonprofit boards, and is involved with several professional organizations including the Society for Human Resource Management, Golden Key International Honour Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, American Psychological Association, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine.