Julie Stokes is CEO of Flame Consulting, CFO of Stokes & Associates, Founder of Ellevate Louisiana and Co-Founder of the Cancer Advocacy Group of Louisiana. She is a CPA, a nonpartisan policy advocate, a civic leader, and a speaker.
Over her seven years of service in the Louisiana Legislature, Julie Stokes gained a reputation as passionate advocate for comprehensive, non-partisan fiscal policy. Julie was able to share her knowledge as a CPA, as well as gain significant legislative experience, with the Louisiana budget, comparative state tax policy, oversight of legislative audit, Louisiana’s economic development incentives, and Louisiana’s Department of Health policies. Having received numerous accolades for her work in the Legislature and leaving public life behind in 2020, she has opened Flame Consulting to continue supporting projects that she is passionate about, like cancer advocacy and helping worthy causes and organizations with strategic planning, fundraising, and management consulting.
As part of her work through Flame Consulting, Julie founded Ellevate Louisiana. Ellevate Louisiana’s purpose is to empower women leaders throughout Louisiana by connecting and educating them on the challenges impacting our State with data-driven, non-partisan solutions to make a better future for Louisiana. In their first few months of operation, Ellevate Louisiana has sixty members from around the state. Ellevate Louisiana is in the process of holding symposiums in key areas of state policy-making. These monthly symposiums are supported by weekly videocasts with policy makers that are hosted by Julie Stokes. The group plans to use these symposiums to create a policy agenda for which to advocate when the legislature convenes in 2021.
Julie also serves as CFO of Stokes & Associates, where she provides the financial leadership that has grown the company from two employees in 1998 to well over thirty employees today. Stokes & Associates was recognized in 2020 as one of UNO’s Top 25 Alumni-Owned businesses and is one of the most respected vocational rehabilitation firms in the state of Louisiana.
Julie was diagnosed with cancer in 2017, and after a nine-month battle she was declared and remains cancer-free. She turned her personal fight with cancer into a legislative mission by becoming an advocate for patients and survivors; she believes that we should never place a patient’s life in jeopardy because of bureaucracy.
As part of her work with Flame Consulting, Julie co-founded the Cancer Advocacy Group of Louisiana to advocate for legislation promoting a high standard for patient care in the State of Louisiana. The Group is composed of leaders from cancer-related foundations and nonprofit entities in the state of Louisiana. In the 2020 Legislative Session, the group crafted and advocated for SB204 to expand patient’s access to precision medicine oncology. The bill successfully passed and is now law. The Cancer Advocacy Group is currently planning its future legislative agenda.
During her time in the Louisiana Legislature, she chaired the Legislative Audit Advisory Council and the Sales Tax Streamlining and Modernization Committee. She was a very active member of the Ways & Means and House Health & Welfare Committees. She also served on House Labor, Capital Outlay, and was an interim member of House Appropriations Committee. She travelled Louisiana with the Committee of 100, the Public Affairs Research Council, and the Committee for Better Louisiana as one of the lead speakers on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform in 2015 and 2016. Nationally, she was very involved with the National Council of State Legislatures, having served on the Executive Committee, as Co-Chair of their Budget and Revenue Standing Committee, and being an active member of its Executive Task Force on State and Local Taxes. She was also part of Governing Magazine’s 2020 “Women in Government Leadership Program,” a group that included a diverse collection of women leaders all around the country.
Julie is currently part of the 2020 Leadership Louisiana class. She is currently Chair of the GNO, Inc. Policy Committee and actively involved with the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, the University of New Orleans Alumni Association, the Louisiana Society of CPA's, Women United, and other groups. She is a frequent speaker to groups on the subject of fiscal policy as well as on inspirational topics such as finding your voice, making a difference in this world and fighting back against all kinds of adversity and overcoming it.
Julie resides in Kenner with her husband Larry and their two children, Brandon and Taylor. She has lived in Jefferson Parish her entire life, being educated in the Jefferson Parish Public School System, and attending the University of New Orleans on full scholarship where she received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Magna Cum Laude.
Honors and Awards include:
2020 "UNO 25," High Impact UNO-Owned Business for Stokes & Associates |
2020 "Six Sweet Survivors," Krewe de Pink |
2019 “Legislative All-Star,” Louisiana Association of Business & Industry |
2019 “Grand Marshall” Krewe of Pandora |
2019 "Honorary Chairman," Belles & Beaus Ball, American Cancer Society |
2018 “Survivor of the Year,” Susan G. Komen Louisiana |
2018 “State Legislative Champion” United Way of Southeast Louisiana |
2018 “Louey Award for Legislative Leadership” Louisiana Travel Promotional Association |
2018 “Life and Liberty Award” Louisiana Family Forum |
2018 “Legislative Champion Award”, Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault & Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence |
2018 “Legislative All-Star,” Louisiana Association of Business & Industry |
2018 “Legis-Gator Business Champion” Chamber Southwest Louisiana |
2018 "Hero Award," Young Adult Cancer Alliance |
2018 “Champion of Economic Development” Louisiana Industrial Development Economic Association |
2018 "State Legislator of the Year," National Young Adult Cancer Alliance |
2018 "Perseverance Award," Hannah’s Klozet Foundation |
2018 "Outstanding National Achievement in State Tax Reform," Tax Foundation |
2018 "Legislative Champion," Karen T. Stall Research & Breast Institute |
2018 "Legislative Champion," Breastoration |
2018 "Celebrity Queen," Pink Prom, Krewe de Pink |
2018 "Cancer Crusader," Cancer Crusaders of Greater New Orleans |
2017 “Tax Legislators of the Year” by State Tax Notes |
2017 “Legislative All-Star,” Louisiana Association of Business & Industry |
2017 “Legis-Gator Business Champion” Chamber Southwest Louisiana |
2017 “Elected Women of Excellence Award,” National Foundation for Women Legislators |
2017 “Distinguished Alumna of the Year,” University of New Orleans |
2017 “Champion of Economic Development” Louisiana Industrial Development Economic Association |
2017 "Women in Government Leadership Program," Governing Magazine |
2017 "Outstanding Legislator" Louisiana Hospital Association |
2017 "Elected Women of Excellence Award," |
2016 “Woman of Distinction”, Girl Scouts of Louisiana East |
2016 “Life and Liberty Award” Louisiana Family Forum |
2016 “Legis-Gator Business Champion” Chamber Southwest Louisiana |
2016 “Champion of Economic Development” Louisiana Industrial Development Economic Association |
2016 "That's What She Said" Award on The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore on Comedy Central |
2016 "Legislator of the Year", Greater New Orleans Republicans |
2015 “Small Business Champion” National Federation of Independent Businesses |
2015 “Life and Liberty Award” Louisiana Family Forum |
2015 “Legis-Gator Fusion Five Business Champion” Chamber Southwest Louisiana |
2015 “Education Choice Champion” Louisiana Federation for Children |
2015 “Champion of Economic Development” Louisiana Industrial Development Economic Association |
2014 “Women of the Year,” City Business Magazine |
2014 “Life and Liberty Award” Louisiana Family Forum |
2014 “Legislative All-Star,” Louisiana Association of Business & Industry |
2014 “Education Choice Champion” Louisiana Federation for Children |
2014 "Legislator of the Year," Louisiana Orthopedic Association |
2014 "Champion of Vision," Louisiana Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons |
2013 “Small Business Champion” National Federation of Independent Businesses |
2013 “Family Advocate,” Louisiana Family Forum |
2013 “Champion of Economic Development” Louisiana Industrial Development Economic Association |
2004 “Women of the Year,” New Orleans City Business Magazine |
Board Member, UNO Real Women Wear Blue | 2021-present | |
Member, Daughters of the American Revolution | 2019-present | |
Member, Committee of 100 for Economic Development | 2021-present | |
Member, Women United | 2020-present | |
Member, BGR (Bureau of Governmental Research) | 2020-present | |
You Night, Advisor Board | 2020-present | |
Youth Advocacy Team, Advisory Team | 2020-present | |
Cancer Advocacy Group of Louisiana, Co-Founder | 2020-present | |
Ellevate Louisiana, Chairman and Founder | 2020-present | |
Greater New Orleans, Inc. | 2020-present | |
Policy Committee Chairperson | 2020-present | |
GNO Inc. Investor | 2021-present | |
SoLA Super Region Committee | 2021-present | |
New Orleans Chamber of Commerce | 2019-present | |
Krewe of Louisianans | 2018-present | |
Ruby's Kids, Founding Board Member, Vice President, Treasurer | 2013-present | |
Louisiana Association of Business & Industry | 2013-present | |
National Council on State Legislatures | 2015-2019 | |
Executive Committee | 2016-2019 | |
Member, State and Local Tax Task Force | 2015-2019 | |
Co-Chair Budgets and Revenue Standing Committee | 2017-2019 | |
Co-Chair State and Local Tax Task Force | 2019 | |
University of New Orleans Alumni Association | 2010-present | |
Board of Directors | 2015-2016 | |
Krewe of Muses | 2011-present | |
Jefferson Chamber of Commerce | 2003-present | |
Government Committee | 2003-present | |
Board Of Directors | 2003, 2005, 2008 | |
Executive Committee | 2008 | |
PAC Board Member | 2008-2012 | |
President, Jefferson Young Leaders | 2003 | |
New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador | 2001 | |
Chateau Estates Civic Organization | 2000-present | |
President | 2005 | |
Young Leadership Council | 1993-2001 | |
Baord of Directors | 1999-2001 | |
American Institute of CPA's | 1993-present | |
Louisiana Society of CPA's | 1993-present | |
Womens Initiative Committee | 2011-2013 | |
State and Local Tax Committee | 2015-present | |
Accounting & Financial Women's Alliance | 1991-present | |
President, New Orleans Chapter | 2002 |
Speaking Engagements:
2021 | Advocacy 101: United Way of Southeast Louisiana 2021.04.14 |
2021 | Emcee and Moderator of Ellevate Louisiana's Legislative Leadership Conference |
2021 | Panelist, Advatous Consulting's State of Louisiana Tax Reform Seminar |
2021 | Emcee and Moderator of Ellevate Louisiana's Ellevating our State Summit |
2020 | YLC Lessons in Legislative Leadership, Two Parts |
2020 | MANY PODCASTS |
2020 | Loyola Women’s Leadership Academy Speaker NEED DATE |
2020 | 1/21/20 Panelist for Women Leading with Impact conference |
2020 | Civic Engagement Speech at StM 2/10/2020 |
2020 | Speaking at Police Jury Association Women's Leadership Group of LA 2/13/2020 |
2020 | Speaking at IARP-LA 2020 presenting State of the State & Life as a Survivor 3/6/2020 |
2020 | Legislative Leadership Conference Hosted and presented 3/11/2020 |
2020 | Ellevate Videocast |
2020 | Flame Videocast |
2020 | UNO Alumni giving campaign |
2019 | Loyola Women’s Leadership Academy Speaker 11/12/2019 |
2019 | Speaker at NORLI – Southeastern University 10/16/19 |
2018 | St. John Parish Business Association |
2018 | Celebrity Chef, River Region Republican Women |
2016 | Celebrity Chef, River Region Republican Women |
LCPA Women's Conference | |
LCPA Women's Conference | |
LCPA Business & Industry Conference | |
LCPA Small Business Conference | |
LCPA Summer CPE | |
LCPA State and Local Tax Conference | |
One Acadiana | |
Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce | |
Hero Awards in Hammond | |
Point Coupee | |
2015-2016 | Speaking Tour of Louisiana on Fiscal and Tax Reform with c100, PAR, CABL |
CENLA Chamber | |
Cancer Interviews: Print and Broadcast | |
Havard Clips for Speaker | |
WYES Suffrage | |
IARP | |
IARP | |
IARP | |
Postlethwaite and Netterville | |
Office of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor |