Countdown’s CEO is recognized among the state’s top leaders.
Countdown CEO Julie Teer has been named to Georgia Trend’s 2026 Georgia 500, the magazine’s annual list of Georgia’s most influential leaders.
For Countdown, the recognition reflects growing awareness that mitochondrial science is transforming how we understand health, aging, and disease.
A nationally recognized leader in healthcare, philanthropy, and public affairs, Julie has served on the presidential teams of George W. Bush and Mitt Romney, worked alongside multiple U.S. Senators, and went on to hold leadership roles at Susan G. Komen, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. As Senior Vice President of Wellstar Health System and President of the Wellstar Foundation, she built the Foundation from inception and grew philanthropic revenue fourfold to more than $20 million annually.
Today, she brings that leadership experience to Countdown’s mission: helping accelerate mitochondrial science, shape the field of mitochondrial medicine, and bring cellular energy to the center of human health.
“Throughout my career, I’ve seen that meaningful change happens when ambitious ideas are matched with committed people and bold action,” says Julie. “That’s what drew me to Countdown.”
Leading Countdown’s Next Chapter
Founder and President Mitzi Solomon and Julie are leading Countdown’s next phase: expanding investment in breakthrough research, bringing mitochondrial science to a broader audience, and building partnerships that connect scientific ambition with the resources to advance it.
“Julie and I share a belief in the transformative potential of mitochondrial science,” says Mitzi. “Countdown calls Atlanta home, and it means so much to see Julie recognized among Georgia’s most influential leaders.”
Julie is already taking that shared vision to leaders across science, health, and business. Since September she has presented to international investors at The Aurum Circle in London, delivered closing remarks at the World Mitochondria Society’s 17th World Congress on Targeting Mitochondria in Berlin, connected with brands and innovators at the Eudēmonia Summit, and represented Countdown at the Milken Institute’s Future of Health Summit in Washington, DC.
Read the Georgia Trend article here.
