Julie Thannum, APR

Julie loves solving problems and is passionate about involving key stakeholders - especially teachers and students - in the decisions that affect them most. She has 30+ years of experience in crisis communications, school safety, and public engagement and is past president of both the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) and the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA). With a keen eye toward conflict resolution, Julie knows that earning trust in education involved truth and transparency over time. She mentors communications professionals and empowers school leaders to find solutions to everyday problems by leading with integrity, inviting internal and external feedback, and focusing on the end game.

Her expertise includes launching strategic communications programs, raising revenue for the classroom through corporate partnerships, and creating target messaging for your school safety program. She's known in north Texas as #SAFEdragon after successfully writing, implementing, and marketing her district's crisis management response plan. Julie's resiliency and self-confidence are best demonstrated by her lifelong commitment as a Chicago Cubs fan. It's no surprise that she's an Enneagram Type 8. She and her husband live in Texas with their teen son and paw pals Loki and Meeko. They also have two adult daughters and a son-in-law who remarkably still find it fun to hang out with their parents. Julie loves reading fiction, binge-watching Netflix, and traveling - especially when the trip involves beach views, Central Park, or Downtown Disney shopping.