Haitian-American Linda Julien appointed vice mayor of Miami Gardens

Linda Julien has been appointed vice mayor of Miami Gardens, Florida, following confirmation by the city council, succeeding Robert Stephens III in the role.

Julien announced her appointment in an Instagram post on Oct. 28, thanking Mayor Rodney Harris for selecting her and her fellow council members for confirming the appointment.

“I promise to continue serving our community with integrity and my whole heart,” Julien wrote.

She also praised Stephens for his service as vice mayor, describing his leadership as marked by “compassion and grit,” and said she looked forward to continuing to work alongside him and the city’s leadership team.

“To the residents of Miami Gardens, the work continues!” Julien wrote, reaffirming her commitment to working with the community to advance the city’s prosperity.

Julien was elected to the Miami Gardens City Council in 2020 and serves as a city-wide council member. She is the daughter of Haitian immigrants and has built a career spanning public administration, economic development, public policy and real estate.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Florida International University and a master’s degree in the same field from Florida Atlantic University.

Before joining the city council, Julien served on Miami-Dade County’s Affordable Housing Board, where she was appointed by the late Commissioner Dorrin D. Rolle. Her work has focused on economic sustainability, homeownership and expanding opportunities in underserved communities.

In addition to her public service, Julien is a real estate professional who serves on the Board of Governors for Florida Realtors and the Miami Association of Realtors. She is also a college professor who teaches American federal government.