Julie M. Cowie founded Congruency in 1997 to help individuals and groups better understand themselves and their motivations.  Congruency provides consulting, facilitation, and mediation services to individuals and organizations. 

Cowie has mediated disputes, including general civil and domestic cases, through Dispute Resolution Centers in West Michigan.  She is a SCAO-approved mediator and trainer.

Ms. Cowie holds an A.B. with High Honors from the University of Michigan and a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary.  She is an ordained minister; after serving as a congregational pastor for several years, she is content to limit herself to delivering the occasional scintillating and life-changing sermon as a guest preacher in area churches.

Julie was named a National Kellogg Fellow by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation in 1994 and continues to be active in the Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance. 

She taught in the Master of Management program for Aquinas College and at the undergraduate level for Grand Valley State University.  She regularly teaches for the Facilitator Training program offered by The Delta Strategy (Grand Rapids Community College).

Julie Cowie serves her community as a Township official.  She was elected Clerk of Casco Township (Allegan County) in 2004 and has served in other leadership positions for the Township.  In 2005, she was appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm to serve on the Michigan Board of Psychology where she is Board Vice Chair and Chairs the Disciplinary Subcommittee. 

Julie is the mother of two girls, age 14 and 12, and married to Will Hart, the Improvisational Craftsman and Improvisational Farmer; together their life goal is to make beets one of the most beloved and sought after vegetables in America.

Julie M. Cowie of Congruency has been involved in numerous community efforts:

• Gubernatorial appointee to the Michigan Board of Psychology, 2005 - present
• Economic Development Task Force, Allegan County (2008)
• Farm Market Task Force (2008)
• Board Member, Mediation Services (Allegan & Ottawa Counties), 2002-2005

Recent grants secured by Julie M. Cowie include:

• $900,000 with a promise of additional funding to purchase a parcel of land on Lake Michigan for use as a nature preserve
• $50,000 to organize farmers in two Townships into an Agri-tourism trail
• A USDA grant to test-market an innovative way to sell fresh vegetables as a convenience food