Judith Shulman spent most of her life in urban environments, growing up and attending college in Chicago, while working her way through school. She obtained her law degree from Yale Law School in New Haven, Connecticut, then practiced law in Seattle at Davis Wright, becoming a partner in real estate and business. She left Davis Wright to start a “Woman Business Enterprise” consulting company (PHAROS Corporation) specializing in real estate acquisitions for government and railroad projects nationwide. For this work, she was recognized as Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year in 2002. She grew the company to 75 employees before selling it to HDR Engineering, Inc., and “retiring” in 2011.
In 2007, she made an unanticipated choice to completely shift her urban lifestyle and embrace a live/work environment in rural Walla Walla in southeast Washington State. Here she engaged in developing another woman-owned business, as co-owner of DAMA Wines, founded in 2007, which became one of the nation’s few certified women-owned and managed wineries. The boutique winery continues to grow and has received high ratings for its varietals. She also practices law in Walla Walla on special community-enhancing projects.
Judith has been a member of several Boards of Directors of non-profit companies including the Seattle Shakespeare Board where she first met Barbara Peterson, Executive Director of Altera. She joined the Altera board in 2017 as the board’s informal legal consultant and Board secretary. Her daughter, now relocated to rural Walla Walla, has also built her own woman-owned business, providing physical therapy and conditioning for area residents ages 16-90.