About

Agate Strategies is a Richmond, Virginia based consulting business, which was founded with a clear mission: To help the individuals, groups, and organizations that shape our communities achieve their greatest potential. When you’re in the thick of it, it’s hard to see the forest through the trees. Whether you’re a busy manager, business owner, or board chair—it can seem impossible to find the time to take a step back to assess and solve problems. Agate Strategies has the tools to assess your organization’s strengths and challenges and develop realistic solutions to help your organization thrive.

In an ever-changing world, organizations are constantly encountering new challenges. Agate Strategies offers a range of consulting services to help you to adapt to these changes.

Have any questions about what Agate Strategies can do for you?

Check out our services here and you can contact us by clicking here.

Agate Strategies operates as a registered DBA as a part of Agate Rabbit, LLC.

Do you think these trees are good communicators? I would hazard a guess that they are. Their roots, and their fates, are entwined. The more we can align with others, have a shared understanding of needs and resources, the better outcomes will be.
Julie Fitzgerald Thacker, M.Ed., Owner and Principal Consultant at Agate Strategies.

Born in Detroit, I lived most of my life so far in the Nashville area, until 2021 when the Richmond, Virginia area became my chosen home. I love reading, hiking the many great trails in RVA and beyond, travelling, baking, writing, playing with my two dogs, and spending time with friends and family.

Julie Fitzgerald Thacker, M.Ed. is the owner and principal consultant at Agate Strategies. Julie has a passion for digging deep to find the root causes of current challenges in order to find strategic solutions that are lasting and meaningful. A strong believer in participatory and consensus-based processes, Julie’s favorite part of any planning exercise is facilitating the conversations that reveal insights that would not have come to light without the inclusion of diverse voices.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Facilitation of large and small groups for understanding, problem solving, and planning

  • Strategic Planning, including community-wide planning, organizational strategic planning, and creating strategic plans for coalitions, programs, and boards

  • Workforce Development, including mentorship programs, succession planning, training development, performance, and hiring

  • Board, Council and Coalition Formation and Development, including development of charters, bylaws, and other foundational documents

  • Assessments and Temperature Checks, including surveys, key informant interviews, and focus groups

  • Process and Outcome Evaluation of projects, programs, and initiatives

Click here for Julie’s LinkedIn bio and complete resume