About
Agate Strategies is a Richmond, Virginia–based consulting practice built to support the people and organizations that shape our communities.
When you’re in the middle of running a business or leading a team, it’s hard to step back and see what’s really going on—let alone figure out how to fix it.
That’s where we come in.
We help you take a step back, make sense of what’s working (and what’s not), and build a practical plan to move forward—without overcomplicating the process or pulling you away from your day-to-day work.
Our approach is simple, focused, and designed to meet you where you are—especially if you don’t have the time or budget for a long-term consulting engagement.
Most of our work is short-term and focused—helping you solve one important problem at a time, so you can keep moving forward with clarity and confidence.
Curious if this is a good fit?
Get in touch—we’re always happy to start with a quick conversation.
Click here to read our statement on DEI and why we feel it’s a crucial piece of working together effectively to solve problems.
Agate Strategies operates as a registered DBA under Agate Rabbit, LLC.
Originally from Detroit, I spent most of my life in the Nashville area before making Richmond, Virginia my home in 2021.
I have one amazing daughter, three goofy dogs, and I love spending my free time writing, dancing, hiking, exploring new places, volunteering, or playing any kind of word game.
Julie Fitzgerald Thacker, M.Ed., is the owner and principal consultant of Agate Strategies.
She specializes in helping organizations get to the root of complex challenges and turn them into clear, actionable plans.
Julie is especially passionate about bringing people into the process—facilitating conversations that surface insights, build alignment, and lead to better decisions. Her work is grounded in the belief that the best solutions come from the people closest to the problem.
Areas of Expertise:
Facilitating conversations that lead to clarity, alignment, and action
Strategic planning for organizations, programs, and community initiatives
Workforce development, including training, mentorship, and succession planning
Board, council, and coalition development
Surveys, focus groups, and organizational assessments
Evaluating programs and initiatives to understand what’s working
Julie holds a B.A. in English Literature and Cultural Community Studies from the University of Sussex (UK) and an M.Ed. in Community Development and Action from Vanderbilt University.
Click here for Julie’s LinkedIn bio