Julie Thompson is a Senior Strategist with Grassroots Solutions based outside of Detroit, Michigan. She is an organizer and strategist who works with organizations to streamline efforts by engaging with their audience with intentionality, honesty, and consistency.

Julie joined Grassroots Solutions in May 2021 and brings deep expertise in designing short- and long-term campaigns that integrate seamlessly with both new and existing programs, along with a strong foundation in digital strategy. She advances client goals through participatory research methods, with a focus on small group and individual interviews, and is adept at identifying key themes to drive projects forward. Julie has applied this approach successfully with the Alliance for Youth Action, State Revenue Alliance, National Alliance to End Homelessness, The Wilderness Society and more.

Julie has been an integral part of several movement-shaping digital and mobilization teams. She was Associate Director at The Hub Project working on issue advocacy campaigns rooted in the advancement of our democracy. Prior to that, she worked on the Elizabeth Warren for President campaign in her home state of Michigan as Mobilization Director, United We Dream Action during the 2020 cycle as a Senior Advisor to the coordinated campaign, Ilhan Omar for Congress in 2019 managing the digital arm of the Congresswoman’s campaign, and various digital mobilization roles at the Democratic National Committee for the 2016, 2017, and 2018 cycles.

Born in Flint, Michigan, Julie spent a year working for the city during the Flint Water Crisis. This work solidified her passion in community building and at Grassroots Solutions, she continues to work with others to challenge systems of racism and oppression that prohibit development at the individual, community, and generational level.

She’s lived by Audre Lorde’s words since she first read them years ago: “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” In order to stay grounded in this work, Julie enjoys a refreshing workout, overanalyzing the latest TV show or movie with friends, spending time with the people she loves and her cat Belli.