Julie Bennett

Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Governance Officer, Corporate Secretary, and Chief of Staff to the CEO

Julie Bennett serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Governance Officer, Corporate Secretary, and Chief of Staff to the CEO at Ballad Health. In this role, she oversees legal affairs, corporate governance, government relations, and strategic communications. She also serves as the senior legal advisor to the executive leadership team and board of directors, and coordinates governance matters for Ballad Health and its subsidiaries.

With more than 33 years of legal and managerial experience, Bennett has built a distinguished career in both private practice and corporate leadership. Prior to joining Ballad Health, she served as Vice President and General Counsel for Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway, where she led legal operations and contributed to major strategic initiatives. She began her career as a partner at Hunter, Smith and Davis, LLC in Kingsport, Tennessee. Bennett holds a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a Juris Doctor from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law, and is licensed to practice law in Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia.

Known for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to service, Bennett is passionate about building strong teams, fostering a culture of integrity, and advancing Ballad Health’s mission through effective governance and strong communications. Her leadership has strengthened the organization’s relationships with community partners, government agencies, and regional stakeholders.

Bennett is actively involved in many civic and professional organizations, chairing the board of BRIDGE Regional, a regional economic development organization, and serving on the boards of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce. She is also Chair of the Tennessee Commission for Continuing Legal Education and Specialization and provides pro bono legal counsel to First Broad Street United Methodist Church, where she is an active member.

Outside of her professional life, Bennett is the proud mother of Michael and Rachel, and enjoys spending time with family, serving her church, and supporting her community. She lives in Kingsport with her goldendoodle, Bentley.