For nearly two decades, Elysha has led strategic communications for causes ranging from LGBTQ rights to sustainable development. As a senior vice president at Wonder for Good, she works with changemakers to develop messaging and narrative change strategies, taking on some of the most complex communications challenges of today.
These have included: supporting the Colorado Health Foundation to develop evidence-based messaging strategies for equitable COVID-19 vaccine uptake; partnering with the David & Lucile Packard Foundation to create a more inclusive ocean conservation movement; building capacity for hundreds of immigrant rights advocates to win the immigration narrative; leading audience research to promote a nationwide guaranteed income; collaborating with leading climate scientists to advance inclusive dialogue around research into slowing climate change tipping points.
Prior to joining Wonder, Elysha served as head of communications for Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), leading a team across Brazil, India, the UK, and the US. There, she supported marketing and development for the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance – a catalytic investment accelerator that leveraged philanthropic, government, and private capital. In its first five years, this accelerator mobilized over two billion dollars for climate action in emerging economies. She also led public affairs for economic analysis that played a key role in the lead-up to the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as for work that has influenced clean energy and environmental conservation narratives globally.
Elysha got her start at Fenton, a global, public-interest communications consultancy known for its results-focused campaigns. At Fenton, she worked with leading nonprofits and foundations such as the James Irvine Foundation, Alive & Free, the California Wellness Foundation, Year Up, and the American Medical Association Alliance. She led digital strategies and media relations including placing stories in the New York Times, Al Jazeera, USA Today, MSNBC, Chicago Tribune, and many others. She also worked closely with LGBTQ advocates to advance equality and inclusion in US communities of faith, including audience research and messaging strategies that laid the groundwork for the freedom to marry movement.
Elysha has a B.S. in Social Policy and Education from Northwestern University. She lives with her family in northern Michigan where she is active in her local community. Since 2018, she has served on the board of her municipal electric utility, Traverse City Light & Power, leading the utility to take on the most ambitious renewable energy portfolio goal in Michigan – a goal it is well on its way to achieving.
Why are you a strategist for good?
“I grew up, and now live, in northern Michigan. It’s easy for those of us in rural areas to be isolated, only getting exposure to other ways of thinking through media and experiences that we directly seek out. I am a strategist for good because I want to help to bridge political and cultural divides caused by lack of exposure and empathy for each other’s beliefs, values, and experiences.”
What’s your superpower?
“Strategy development and planning. I have played chess since a very young age. Sometimes I feel like I have giant chessboard in my mind when I start considering different angles for policy or advocacy work. I’m most at home when reading technical research and turning it into actionable insights.”
