Women's Public Leadership Network (WPLN) is excited to continue our podcast series, Tips From The Trail, hosted by WPLN Founder & President Larissa Martinez, where we explore the path to political office, from the decision to run to election day.

What does it take to make a difference in public office? Sometimes, the experiences and skills you already have are exactly what you need to get started! In our latest episode, we're joined by Julie Stokes, former Louisiana state representative and founder of Ellevate Louisiana to talk about what that looked in her own life.

Julie served seven years in the Louisiana Legislature, where her background as a CPA helped shape her work on fiscal policy and taxation. Since leaving elected office, she has continued her commitment to public service through Ellevate Louisiana, which brings women leaders together to explore data-driven, nonpartisan solutions to issues affecting their state, and through her advocacy for cancer patients.

In this conversation, Julie shares lessons from her journey into politics, the importance of bringing your unique background to public office, and how leadership can take many forms throughout your life.

Check out a few highlights from Larissa's conversation with Julie below and listen to the full conversation wherever you listen to podcasts!

• Your Background Is One of Your Greatest Assets: When Julie first began her career as a CPA, she wasn't necessarily thinking about how accounting would shape her future in public service. But once she entered the Louisiana Legislature, her financial expertise proved especially valuable as she worked on taxation, fiscal policy, and the state's budget challenges. Her experience helped her ask practical questions about proposed policies—not just what they were intended to accomplish, but how they would actually work.

  Julie’s story is an important reminder that you don't have to come from a traditional political background to have something valuable to contribute in public office. The knowledge you gain through your career, community involvement, and personal experiences can provide a perspective that might otherwise be missing from the conversation.

• Finding Balance and Knowing When to Delegate: Campaigning and serving in public office come with plenty of competing demands, particularly when balancing professional responsibilities, family, and personal commitments. For Julie, one of the most important lessons was recognizing that everyone's experience in public service will look a little different. She also emphasized the importance of knowing what needs your personal attention and what can be delegated.

  Whether you're managing a campaign, leading an organization, or serving your community, being intentional about your time allows you to focus on the responsibilities and relationships that matter most.

• Leading Across Differences: After leaving the legislature, Julie founded Ellevate Louisiana to bring women from different industries, backgrounds, and political perspectives together to learn about public policy and connect with one another. Throughout this conversation, Julie emphasized the importance of listening to others, being willing to consider new information, and recognizing that personal and intellectual growth are essential parts of effective leadership. You don't have to agree on every issue to have a meaningful conversation or learn something from someone else's experience. For Julie, creating opportunities for those conversations has become an important continuation of her public service.

• The Power of Mentorship: Another important part of Julie's work is connecting women through mentorship. Her organization has developed a structured mentoring program that pairs women for six months, giving them opportunities to share experiences, build relationships, and learn from one another. As Julie explained, mentorship doesn't have to be complicated. At its heart, it's about developing meaningful connections and recognizing that everyone has something to teach—and something to learn. Whether you're just beginning to explore leadership opportunities or have years of experience, having people you can learn from and lean on can make a meaningful difference.

• Know Yourself and Your Purpose: When Larissa asked Julie what advice she would give someone considering public office, Julie encouraged listeners to start by getting to know themselves. Understanding your strengths, recognizing your blind spots, and reflecting on what matters most to you can help you identify where your experiences and interests intersect with the needs of your community. Her own journey, from accounting to the legislature to founding organizations dedicated to civic engagement and cancer advocacy, demonstrates that your purpose can continue to evolve. And as Julie's story reminds us, making a difference doesn't have to begin or end with holding elected office.

If you're considering public service,  WPLN is here to help. Explore our free, self-pace.  Explore our free candidate training resources on our website to learn more about how you can take the next step and check out our upcoming events where you can register for virtual and in-person programs and connect with a national network of women leaders.

From finding the confidence to use your professional background in public office to building meaningful relationships and continuing to grow as a leader, Julie shares valuable insights for women at every stage of their leadership journeys. Check out the full episode on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts!

ABOUT THE GUEST

Julie Stokes is a former Louisiana state representative, CPA, civic leader, and advocate for nonpartisan public policy and women's leadership. During her seven years in the Louisiana Legislature, she focused on fiscal policy, tax reform, and improving access to cancer care. Since leaving elected office in 2020, Julie has continued her commitment to public service as CEO of Flame Consulting, CFO of Stokes & Associates, and founder of both Ellevate Louisiana and the Survivor's Cancer Action Network (SCAN). Through Ellevate Louisiana, she brings women leaders together from across the state to explore data-driven policy solutions, build meaningful connections, and strengthen civic engagement. Julie also serves on the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors and continues to advocate for cancer patients and effective public policy throughout Louisiana. Julie resides in River Ridge, Louisiana with her husband, Larry, and their two children, Brandon and Taylor.

WPLN, is a national nonprofit educating, organizing, and inspiring center- and right-leaning women to seek public office at all levels across the U.S. and become effective leaders. The views and policy positions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not represent endorsement by WPLN.