Around the offices of Montgomery County United Way, Julie Martineau is known for her passion, work ethic and coffee cakes.

"Much to our detriment, she is great at bringing us baked goodies to our morning meetings," said Danielle Scheiner, past chair of the MCUW board of directors. "But if I had to have one word for her I'd say, 'spitfire.' Her passion for helping others is quite evident. I think she gets really engaged and involved—you don't always see that from the executive level of an organization."

Martineau has served as president of the MCUW since 1997. Martineau's roots in the organization, however, go back to her college years. Fresh out of college from California State University–Long Beach, where she earned a bachelor's degree in social work, Martineau started working for the United Way in Los Angeles, doing everything from running internal campaigns to helping allocate funds for community organizations.

Eventually Martineau found her way to Texas to work in Montgomery County, back when the population was nearly half of its current size.

"I've always wanted to help people—somehow and someway—help people," she said. "I was originally studying sociology, but found it was too research-oriented. I wanted something hands-on and practical."

A Catholic upbringing fostered her respect for social justice, she said, which led her to social work. Martineau said social work taught her to see people and their situations as a whole in addition to what is going on around them. Much of her role at MCUW involves examining what is happening to residents in the community, both physically and culturally, and helping individuals live healthy, successful lives.

Among the programs the MCUW operates in the community, Martineau said one that she is most proud of is the organization's ability to react and provide aid quickly during natural disasters. In 2008 the organization was able to provide financial support and resources in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.

"My favorite thing is to really look at data, listen to the community and to shape strategies and solutions [for] what this community needs in order for it to thrive," she said. "Being able to bring together an incredible number of talented, very brilliant volunteers who care about the quality of life and other people in the community is really exciting."

Before signing on as MCUW president, Martineau spent 10 years as executive director at the Friendship Center in Conroe, which provides services to the elderly.

Outside of work, Martineau enjoys the company of her family, most of whom live nearby in The Woodlands. She has two daughters with her husband who lost his battle with cancer nearly two years ago. She said she tries to spend as much time with her children and grandchildren as possible.