WORK WITH ME

HI

I'm Julie Jakopic

Seasoned Executive, Award-Winning Advisor, Acclaimed Coach, Dynamic Trainer, and Inspiring TED Talk Speaker.

The Birth Of iLeadStrategies

I started iLead Strategies over 15 years ago to share what I have learned to help leaders like you love your work AND your life. 

I get it. I found myself working crazy hours, with breaks to deal with the problems my family was facing, and had to be dragged five time zones away to let go and play. I also found myself spending all of my work time on problems and administrative issues, not thinking about how we could do things better, faster, and more kindly or working on the issues on the ground. 

I wanted to start my own firm and do things differently. But I was overworked and scared I’d fail.

From Burnout To Purpose

Learning to Lead Without Chaos

I was a fried, overwhelmed, underappreciated, always working shell of a human. I was always working and always late because there was always another crisis to be resolved. Everyone was angry at me. The to-do list only grew, the family felt like they came in second, and I had no idea who or how I was. 

I wish I had the key to the moment I figured it out, but all that exhaustion was not helping anyone. In truth, administrative stuff was done, but emotionally, I was making things worse for everyone. In human services and mission-driven work, crises are the normal state of affairs. Our job is not to join and build on that chaos but to channel our energy to lead our teams through the marathon of the long haul to provide consistent services while we advocate to change the systems that create the needs we are meeting. 

Overwhelm and exhaustion are not a badge of honor. Rather, they make it hard to be proactive, make clear-eyed decisions, and maintain our team. It also created a stressful environment for those we serve. But stopping is not easy.

I knew there had to be another way, so I set out to find it and share it.

Breaking Free

Maybe it was one more argument about why I was late or a trip to work with a team that was joyful no matter what they were facing, but I realized that my misery was not helping anyone, least of all my clients. Joining them in their anxiety and fear wasn’t empathy; it made things worse for them and got in the way of my doing my work. It had to stop. I worked hard to figure out how, and now I get to help leaders like you do it, too.

It Is Simple - Not Easy, But Simple

You can lead well, deliver for those you serve, and have a life. In fact, it takes time, trust, and work. When the waters calm, you can focus your time and energy on strategic decisions, strengthening your agency, and building for the future.

Leading Beyond Labels

I have never been one who neatly fits in a box.  Not because I didn’t fit in a box, but because I couldn’t, or more accurately wouldn’t, decide which box.  

I was an actor, a synchronized swimmer, and president of the World Affairs Club in high school. Welcome in all three, but always a little bit outside because I also belonged somewhere else. That wasn’t always easy as a kid, but it has been great as an adult.  I’ve been a recognized leader in the non-profit sector, the public sector, and the corporate sector around issues from cosmetics to energy efficiency to human services.  It means I can bring the best of one sector to bear in another, and I understand the crazy pervasive things that cross them all.

“If you lead from a place of deep mission-driven commitment, a place of joy and service, your life is better, your work and your team are more productive and happier, and your impact is deeper.” - Julie

This is true whether you are leading a small nonprofit or a 1,000-person agency. It is this understanding that drives me to help leaders lead better – in their careers and in their personal lives. I left my corner office and created iLead Strategies to share this knowledge broadly, helping leaders build resilient organizations ready to seize opportunities and provide them for others

I have had to balance being a legislator, a candidate for office, and a business manager. Working with Julie has proven invaluable. I love that I always walk away from my time with her with a clear plan of action and an understanding of how to execute the plan. She has been an effective advisor as I have found the balance that so many struggle to achieve.

Charniele Herring

Delegate

Majority Leader, Virginia House of Delegates and.Chief Operating Officer, Admin, and Logistics, LLC

My Core Values

At the heart of everything I do are the core values that guide my work and my approach to leadership. These principles are the foundation of iLeadStrategies, and they reflect my commitment to helping organizations and leaders thrive with integrity, purpose, and impact.

Ignite Impact

The world has never moved as fast before and will never move this slowly again. That dichotomy of pace can create turbulence and divisiveness, and yet, in conflict, there are opportunities.  Our specialty lies in helping you have difficult conversations, strengthen relationships, and build influence to advance your mission and vision to ignite your impact.

Inspired Action

Success does not happen in a vacuum. It takes clear vision, and it takes teamwork. You have the capacity within you to lead a team where everyone is pulling in the same direction. We work hand-in-hand with you to craft a clear vision, goals, and strategies to reach them. We help you design and reach measurable outcomes on your way to bringing your vision to reality.

Lead Boldly

Power doesn’t corrupt; it amplifies. It makes us more of who we already are. It creates a path to bigger impact. We help you use your power for good. To effectively lead your team, to balance the speed and flexibility required by a turbulent environment, and tame the dragons on your path to harness their energy for the greater good.

Committed Integrity

It should go without saying, but it is important. We tell the truth. Even when it’s hard. We inspire trust through personal and professional leadership, decisions consistent with our values, and accountability for our actions. 

SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONS I'VE WORKED WITH:

I want to thank iLead Strategies on behalf of all of us at the Department of Human Services for the positive energy your team’s presentation infused in our All-Staff Retreat this year. The staff genuinely enjoyed the day, and you all helped create a relaxing and enthusiastic vibe that benefited all of us. It was a pleasure working with you!

Debra Collins

Assistant City Manager, Community and Human Services, City of Alexandria

Community and Human Services, City of Alexandria

If you lead from a place of deep mission-driven commitment, a place of joy and service, your life is better, your work and your team are more productive and happier, and your impact is deeper.

This is true whether you are a small business owner, non-profit executive, C-suite executive, or government leader. It is this understanding that drives me to help leaders lead better – in their careers and in their personal lives. I left my corner office and created iLead Strategies to share this knowledge broadly, to help leaders create workplaces that work for the people who work there, deliver outstanding results for customers, and drive real impact in the world.

Ready to take your organization to the next level?

Let's collaborate to strengthen the capacity of your organization to achieve greater impact. Discover how we can help you be a leader others are inspired to follow and make your organization a place where people want to work, that is ready for the future, and that creates lasting positive change in your community.

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