The Metroplex Civic & Business Association has named Julie Strum as its new chief executive officer, elevating a longtime leader as the organization looks to expand civic and charitable engagement across Dallas-Fort Worth.
MCBA said Strum will lead the nonprofit business league’s work to help member companies and their employees become more involved in local civic life, charitable service, and community-focused initiatives.
Strum has spent nearly four years in leadership roles with MCBA, most recently as chief operating officer. The organization said she helped strengthen operations, increase member value, and support MCBA’s growth during that time.
Strum Steps Into CEO Role
The MCBA Board of Directors appointed Strum under the leadership of Chairman Amish Gupta.
“Julie has demonstrated a deep commitment to MCBA’s mission, our members, and the communities we serve,” Gupta said. “Her leadership, entrepreneurial experience and ability to bring people together around practical civic engagement make her uniquely positioned to guide MCBA into its next chapter of growth and impact.”
Strum has worked in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, including nonprofit leadership roles and experience as a small business owner. MCBA said that background has shaped her leadership approach around stewardship, service, and measurable community impact.
“Strong businesses create strong communities,” Strum said. “At MCBA, we believe civic participation should be easy, meaningful, and focused on driving communities forward. Our mission remains centered on empowering business leaders and their employees to engage locally and help shape a strong, safe, and prosperous region.”
From Seven Companies To More Than 100
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, MCBA marked its fifth anniversary in December after growing from seven companies at its founding to just over 100 companies representing roughly 12,000 employees.
Strum told The Dallas Express at the time that MCBA was created during the disruptions of 2020, when businesses faced regulatory upheaval, financial pressure, and uncertainty across multiple sectors.
“We started with seven companies and the intention of not being a typical business league, but instead affecting positive change for the business community in Dallas and surrounding counties,” Strum said in the December interview. “While we do networking and our members grow revenue through the MCBA network, we also focus on engaging employees in local, nonpartisan elections.”
MCBA’s model combines business networking with civic education, charitable service, and employee engagement.
The organization’s “Vote Local” program focuses on local, nonpartisan civic participation, while its “Give Local” program helps connect member companies with volunteer opportunities and nonprofit partners.
Expanding MCBA’s Regional Reach
MCBA describes itself as a nonpartisan, nonprofit business league made up of action-minded CEOs and business leaders across DFW.
The organization says it goes beyond traditional networking by helping member companies connect employees with local civic and charitable opportunities.
Strum told DX that MCBA has engaged nearly 30,000 registered voters and reached more than 60,000 employees across 11 elections.
“No other business league or chamber is mobilizing employees at the scale that we’re doing it,” Strum said in December.
Under Strum’s leadership, MCBA said it plans to keep expanding opportunities for member businesses and their employees to connect with civic and charitable initiatives throughout North Texas.
