Elysha Davila

Senior Vice President (she/her)

For the last 15 years, Elysha has specialized in strategic communications for causes ranging from LGBTQ rights to sustainable development. At Wonder, she works with brands to develop narrative change, messaging and engagement strategies. This has included supporting the Colorado Health Foundation to develop evidence-based messaging strategies for equitable  COVID-19 vaccine uptake, as well as partnering with the David & Lucile Packard Foundation to create a more inclusive ocean conservation movement.

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 new business models that have mobilized billions of 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 policy globally.

Elysha lives with her family in northern Michigan where she is active in her local community. She serves on the board of her municipal electric utility, Traverse City Light & Power.

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.

Who is your intellectual crush?

“Most recently, Greta Thunberg. She has mobilized a new social movement and utilized her platform to speak truth to power. I just hope the movement can focus on the effective, win-win solutions to climate change and environmental conservation that will move these issues forward next, and create the lasting change that’s really needed.”