2015 2015: Julia Rayberg: Focus on entrepreneurship and social change

‌Julia Rayberg '15 of Rockland has been appointed to the position of senior marketing associate with ROI Corporation, a Boston-area business brokerage firm, after having completed an internship with the company. A student in the Charlton College of Business, Julia is majoring in marketing with a concentration in entrepreneurship; she also has a minor in international business.

At ROI Corporation, Julia's responsibilities will include internal and external marketing such as advertising, public relations, and social media, as well as marketing strategies for those interested in selling or buying businesses.

"I'm really looking forward to this challenge," Julia said. "It's gratifying to work with so many entrepreneurs who have succeeded in building and strengthening businesses."

Julia also completed a summer 2013 internship with Avis Budget Group as a local market sales intern. Following the internship, she was asked to continue as a local market sales manager during the fall semester. She managed local market sales for Avis Car Rental, Budget Truck, and Zipcar for the territory of Boston and Rhode Island.

CEO of her own non-profit, Worthy Village

Julia brings hands-on experience to her new position, having created, launched, and served as president/CEO of her own non-profit organization, Worthy Village. Through education and entrepreneurship, Worthy Village supports impoverished women in the village of San Juan la Laguna in Guatemala.

The organization imports and markets the women's textile products—such as bags, sandals, and scarves—in the U.S. All profits are sent back to the "worthy women" of the village.

Worthy Village has also implemented a healthcare initiative in the village, and is developing ways to improve education for the village's children. Currently working with seven villages of impoverished women, schools, and orphanages, the organization is creating a library in the village of Santo Domingo, Jalapa, Guatemala.

Julia began her philanthropic work in Guatemala in 2012, and spread the word about her experiences in Guatemala with fellow students at UMass Dartmouth. In March of 2014, she organized a visit to Guatemala for 12 students and alumni, in hopes of creating Worthy Village.

"I witnessed so much the first time I traveled to Guatemala; it was eye-opening," Julia said. "I’ve been asked why I do what I do, but there’s no viable answer to that. When you see such horrific living conditions, children starving, oppression of women, and they have no choice, no way out, how do you not do something about it? I will spend the rest of my life just trying to do something about it."

After graduating, Julia plans to move to Panajachel, Guatemala on Lake Atitlan. "This is the heart of where we do our work. I will continue to do worthy work on a daily basis, working more personally with the indigenous impoverished community and expanding the organization throughout Guatemala," she said.

A focus on promoting social change

Julia has been active at UMass Dartmouth, having served on the executive board of Enactus, an international organization of colleges and universities that focuses on social change projects. She also managed the UMassD Presentation Team, which gives students the opportunity to compete nationally with other colleges in making presentations about their service projects.

"I feel privileged to be a UMass Dartmouth student," Julia said. "I especially appreciate the Enactus organization and Dr. Godwin Ariguzo, former Enactus advisor, who introduced the organization to the university. My first experience in Guatemala was with Enactus, and I truly believe that I am where I am today because of the organization's support, leadership, and opportunity."

Julia also teaches dance and ballet in Hingham.

More information

Charlton College of Business Home

Enactus at UMass Dartmouth

Worthy Village

I feel privileged to be a UMass Dartmouth student.