Julie Dewees Sparks retired from British Petroleum in 2016 after a distinguished career in the energy industry in Houston. A proud alumna of LSU with a BS in International Finance and the University of Houston with an MBA in Economics, Julie’s academic achievements laid the foundation for her impressive career. Since 2018, Julie brings her passion for history to life as a docent at the prestigious Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, a jewel in the crown of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Her commitment to preserving and promoting Texas heritage doesn’t stop there. Julie lends her expertise to the Advisory Board of The Texas Center at Schreiner University in Kerrville, a newly minted institution dedicated to fostering appreciation for the Lone Star State’s storied past and vibrant present. From 2018 to 2021, she also contributed her insights as a board member of the Texas Historical Foundation. She lives in Houston.