At Ethos in Action, we believe social change is the heartbeat of progress. By empowering individuals and organizations, we help turn bold visions into meaningful, lasting impact that transforms communities and shapes a better world.
With over two decades in nonprofit fundraising and social impact strategy, Ethos in Action partners with organizations to build clarity, connection, and confidence in their fundraising.
Founded by Julia Dadakaridis, Ethos in Action is a collective of expert collaborators—leaders across development, grants, communications, and operations—united by a shared commitment to helping nonprofits grow sustainably and strategically.
Our Founder
Julia Dadakaridis believes deeply in the power of people, relationships, and culture to create lasting change—a belief shaped by more than two decades working alongside nonprofits, philanthropic leaders, and communities striving for a more just and equitable world. As the Founder & CEO of Ethos in Action, she helps organizations raise more, strengthen their teams, and bring their missions to life with clarity and purpose.
Rooted in her Greek heritage, Julia has always been guided by the concept of ethos—one's character, values, and way of being. It's why she named her consultancy Ethos in Action: she believes the strongest strategies emerge when leaders stay authentic, grounded, and aligned with what they stand for.
Throughout her career, Julia has partnered with nonprofits across education, homelessness, women's empowerment, legal services, and global development, guiding them to secure transformational gifts and build systems that last. Clients often describe her as more than a consultant—she's a trusted thought partner who brings deep expertise, thoughtful intuition, and genuine care to every engagement.
Outside of work, Julia is a mother of two boys and an avid traveler who loves the ocean, exploring new cultures and staying connected to her roots.
"I launched Ethos in Action—a collective of expert collaborators I've met throughout my journey—so we can join forces to support organizations that are changing the world."
Our Team
Ariel specializes in donor strategy development and CRM optimization that transforms fundraising effectiveness.
Ariel specializes in donor strategy development and CRM optimization that transforms fundraising effectiveness. With experience spanning major gift programs at City Year and stakeholder management at Amazon, she excels at analyzing donor data, designing relationship-based engagement frameworks, and implementing systems that drive sustainable growth.
At City Year, her understanding of program operations informed major donor cultivation strategies that exceeded targets. She managed a major donor society program that achieved 85% renewal rates and led cross-functional initiatives that strengthened both donor engagement and organizational capacity. Her experience at Amazon refined her approach to stakeholder relationship management and operational excellence.
Ariel brings a strategic, relationship-focused approach to building scalable development operations through data-driven insights and personalized stewardship frameworks. She turns big ideas into actionable strategies that drive lasting impact.
Outside of work, Ariel is a mother of two boys who enjoys spending time traveling (especially to the mountains), trying out new restaurants in LA, and being active with her family.
Chelsea brings a strategic mindset and exceptional storytelling ability to institutional fundraising.
Chelsea brings a strategic mindset and exceptional storytelling ability to institutional fundraising. As a grant writer and fundraising professional, she excels at working cross-departmentally with leadership to surface organizational needs and translate complex work into compelling narratives that move missions forward. She's worked with a wide range of organizations across reproductive health, LGBTQ+ civil rights, health equity, affordable housing, homelessness and political advocacy to move money to causes that advance equity and justice.
With a sharp eye for detail and deep understanding of funder priorities, Chelsea helps nonprofits position themselves strategically in competitive funding landscapes. Her ability to blend long-term funding strategy with high-impact storytelling has helped organizations secure critical institutional support. Chelsea helps nonprofits turn their vision into funded, mission-driven action through proposals that resonate with foundation and corporate partners.
When she's not working, Chelsea can be found going on long hikes, doing yoga, finding the best vegetarian food in Los Angeles, cuddling with her two orange cats, drinking iced coffee, or planning her next big travel adventure.
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Luz María Castellanos transforms how organizations connect with their communities through strategic storytelling and authentic engagement.
Luz María Castellanos transforms how organizations connect with their communities through strategic storytelling and authentic engagement. With over 20 years of experience spanning journalism, entertainment media, and education nonprofits, she brings a unique perspective on crafting messages that resonate across diverse audiences and inspire meaningful action.
As the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and the first in her family to earn a college degree, Luz María understands firsthand the power of education and opportunity. Her decade of leadership at City Year L.A. and the Partnership for L.A. Schools, combined with her award-winning work at NBCUniversal's mun2 (where she earned a NAMIC EMMA Award for innovative marketing), gives her deep insight into what moves people to act.
Today, Luz María partners with school districts, public agencies, and mission-driven organizations to elevate their strengths through clear, timely communication that builds trust and drives change. She specializes in aligning communications to organizational priorities, celebrating successes that matter, and creating strategic narratives that amplify impact.
Outside of work, Luz María is a dedicated mother of two and an engaged supporter of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. She cares deeply about environmental sustainability and loves spending time with her extended family, especially when cooking and passing down family recipes.
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