Julia Olmstead
Non-profit Leader
St. Paul,MN
Summary
Accomplished non-profit leader with extensive experience in grant management, strategic funding initiatives, and collaborative partnerships. Strong background in sustainable/regenerative agriculture and climate strategy and advocacy. Proven track record of leading cross-sector, multi-stakeholder initiatives and driving organizational growth. I love big ideas, bringing groups and people together, and developing the visions and strategies we need to make change.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Lead for Philanthropy
Fresh Energy
5 2022 - Current
- Oversee fundraising for a $7 million-budget clean energy advocacy non-profit organization, with a focus on foundation grants.
- Serve on the executive leadership team that sets the organization's strategic and operational direction.
- Lead a team of development professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration and success within the department.
Program Officer
McKnight Foundation
05.2016 - 12.2019
- Managed half of the $8 million+ Mississippi River grant portfolio, focusing on agriculture and water policy and coastal Louisiana tranches.
- Organized workshops and trainings for stakeholders, increasing understanding of program goals and objectives.
- Established strategic partnerships with external organizations, expanding program reach and impact.
- Collaborated with grantees to support their work and align strategies across the portfolio.
- Partnered with other funders on strategic funding initiatives, such as opportunities for climate funders to enter the agriculture space.
- Consistently received top ratings in grantee surveys for communication, reliability, and working relationships.
Farmer-Led Watershed Council Project Coordinator
University of Wisconsin-Extension
01.2013 - 05.2016
- Designed, launched, and managed a cross-sector, multi-stakeholder agriculture water quality collaborative in western Wisconsin.
- Led a team of 20 people through a process that required the whole crew to be nimble, collaborative, and adaptive.
- Project exceeded expectations for citizen engagement and farmer adoption of conservation practices, becoming a model throughout the state and region for effective voluntary water quality work.
- Kept projects on schedule by managing deadlines and adjusting workflows.
- Developed comprehensive project plans, outlining scopes, timelines, deliverables, and milestones.
Senior Associate
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
02.2009 - 01.2013
- Researcher, writer, and advocate on federal and state agriculture conservation policies and climate/agriculture intersections.
- Played a lead role in multiple coalitions, including the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and the Rural Climate Network.
Education
M. Journalism - Focused On Agriculture And Environmental Reporting Under Advisor Michael Pollan
University of California
Berkeley, CAM.S. Plant Breeding & Sustainable Agriculture - Forage breeding focus under Drs. Charlie Brummer and Jean-Luc Jannink
Iowa State University
Ames, IAB.A. Botany & Spanish - undefined
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WISkills
Non-profit leadership and organizational development
Grantmaking, fundraising, and grantwriting
Sustainable agriculture and climate policy strategy and advocacy
Cross-sector partnership building and stakeholder engagement
Certified Emergent Learning Practitioner (project/program evaluation)
Fluent written and spoken Spanish
Accomplished writer and communicator
Volunteer Experience
The Land Institute, Member and current Chair of the Board of Directors, Salina, KS, 2018, Present
Timeline
Program Officer
McKnight Foundation
05.2016 - 12.2019
Farmer-Led Watershed Council Project Coordinator
University of Wisconsin-Extension
01.2013 - 05.2016
Senior Associate
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
02.2009 - 01.2013
Executive Lead for Philanthropy
Fresh Energy
5 2022 - Current
M. Journalism - Focused On Agriculture And Environmental Reporting Under Advisor Michael Pollan
University of California
M.S. Plant Breeding & Sustainable Agriculture - Forage breeding focus under Drs. Charlie Brummer and Jean-Luc Jannink
Iowa State University
B.A. Botany & Spanish - undefined
University of Wisconsin