Julie Beaty, professor of practice in the advertising and public relations department, has been recognized with the Innovator Award at Adcraft Detroit’s 2025 Thrive Detroit Elevate Awards. The honor highlights Beaty’s leadership, creativity, and commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable future within the advertising industry.
Hosted by Adcraft Detroit, Thrive Detroit is an annual celebration of the people and ideas shaping Detroit’s advertising landscape. The program features inspiring talks, networking opportunities, and the presentation of the Elevate Awards, which honor individuals driving meaningful change and making lasting contributions to Detroit’s diverse marketing community.
Among the three awards presented, the Innovator Award recognizes a leader who “ignites a spark of change within their organization, crafts a roadmap for progress, and champions the voices of underrepresented groups.” Beaty’s work exemplifies these ideals through her dedication to student success, mentorship, and diversity in communication industries.
As a professor and founder of the Women in Advertising & Communications (WAC) Mentorship Program, Beaty has spent the last seven years cultivating partnerships between Michigan State University and the Detroit advertising community—particularly with Adcraft Detroit. Through mentorship initiatives, career networking events, and professional development opportunities, she has empowered students to graduate with confidence, industry connections, and a clear sense of purpose.
“Adcraft has been invaluable to our mission from the very beginning,” Beaty shared. “They’ve supported WAC through campus events like Spark Talks and by welcoming our students into Detroit’s professional network. This recognition is deeply humbling—our industry is filled with people who give back, so to be singled out for this award is an extreme honor.”
Reflecting on her guiding philosophy, Beaty added, “I was raised to believe that we are our brother’s and sister’s keeper. If I can help one student find their voice and place within the world, then I have succeeded.”
Beaty’s recognition as an Innovator highlights her impact as both an educator and advocate, and her goal of building bridges between academia and industry.