Julie Bonistalli was born and raised in Charlottesville. She is a graduate of Albemarle High School and the University of Virginia. As a CPA, she practiced public accounting at Preston Morris and Company with her parents, Preston and Susan Morris, from 1996 through 2003. Retiring from accounting after the birth of her first son, Julie now works as the CFO of her family’s other business interests. When she is not working, Julie spends time with her wonderful family – raising two boys (8 and 6 years old) with her husband and local REALTOR, Joe Bonistalli.
Now that the kids are a little older, Julie has decided to go out of her comfort zone this year, trying new things such as “Zumba,” tennis lessons, and even playing her first full round of golf. Not to mention this year’s Critter Ball!
Julie’s enthusiasm to help animals in need and to support the local SPCA stems in part from a loving memory of her childhood pets – a golden retriever, Sasha, and a robust Siamese kitty, Kyboo, who had himself been homeless, but lived a long, happy life after adoption. However, Julie’s girlhood attention was mostly focused on the barn, where much larger critters resided. At the ripe old age of 7 years, Julie began caring for and training her own equine sweeties, riding competitively for the many years that followed. While “mucking” stalls was hard work for a little girl, Julie’s devotion to her beloved old pony “Brownie” and a younger dapple “Lady Grey” proved to be one of the most valuable experiences in her life. Family members will attest that when Julie was out in the fields with the horses, one would see a loyal golden retriever by her side, dutifully following. It is to these memories that Julie dedicates her support of the Charlottesville SPCA.
