Erika Young
Policy strategist. Engagement professional. Communicator.
Making complex policy clear, credible, and persuasive.
Erika Young helps transportation, infrastructure, and workforce leaders make complex policy clear, credible, and persuasive to the people who decide. As Founder and Principal of ELY Public Affairs, the Washington, DC-based firm she founded in 2020, she advises nonprofit, government, and private-sector clients on strategic communications, coalition building and advocacy.
Her recent work includes a maritime workforce needs assessment that positioned a Midwest technical college as a recognized workforce leader in the Great Lakes.
Before founding ELY Public Affairs, Erika was Director of Strategic Partnerships at Smart Growth America and Transportation for America, where she led national coalitions and outreach programs, and Transportation Director at the National Association of Regional Councils. She began her career on Capitol Hill, including as Legislative Director for Congressman Nick J. Rahall II. She holds a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication from The Johns Hopkins University.
Hill-tested. Coalition-built.
Capitol Hill
- Legislative Director, Rep. Nick J. Rahall (WV-03)
- U.S. Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee (Sen. Hollings)
- U.S. House Budget Committee
National advocacy
- Director of Strategic Partnerships, Smart Growth America
- Director of Strategic Partnerships, Transportation for America
- Transportation Director, National Association of Regional Councils
Education
- M.A. Strategic Communication, Johns Hopkins University
- B.A. Political Science, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
- SBA-certified Woman-Owned Small Business
A small firm with a big bench.
ELY partners with a hand-picked group of creative professionals when a project calls for more research, analysis, outreach, or execution. That way, even the most heated issues get the care they deserve, and the people you need on your side come away trusting you more, not less.
Put that bench to work: advocacy training, stakeholder interviewing, full-service engagement campaigns, and federal grant strategy.
Explore Our Public Affairs ServicesSee the full career timeline
Questions, answered.
Who is Erika Young?
Erika Young is the Principal of ELY Public Affairs in Washington, D.C. She is a policy strategist and advocacy professional with more than 20 years in public service, specializing in federal transportation policy, coalition building, and community engagement.
Where has Erika Young worked?
Erika Young was Director of Strategic Partnerships at Smart Growth America and at Transportation for America, Transportation Director at the National Association of Regional Councils, and Legislative Director for U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (WV-03). She also served Sen. Ernest Hollings on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and worked for the House Budget Committee.
Where did Erika Young go to school?
Erika Young holds a master's degree in Strategic Communication from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor.
Is it Erika or Erica Young?
The Principal of ELY Public Affairs spells her name Erika Young, with a k.
Have a thorny issue that needs support?
Book a free, 30-minute strategy call. Erika will look at your policy goal, your audience, and your timeline, and tell you plainly what it will take.