Elan MacDonald, Vice-President External Relations

Elan MacDonald, ICD.D is the Vice President, External Relations at the University of Alberta. Elan has spent her career advising organizations and corporations to sustain and grow their businesses by navigating government, policy development, crisis communications, the regulatory and legislative processes, and the shifting political, social and economic landscapes.

As President and CEO of Impact Consulting, Elan built and operated one of Alberta’s most reputable government relations advisory and communications companies for close to a decade, serving local, national and international clients. She later joined her firm with Global Public Affairs, where she became the Senior Vice President, National Client Development.

Elan MacDonald offers a unique perspective among government relations and communication professionals that spans 25 years as a values-driven executive in political, private sector and community and stakeholder relations roles.

Elan is Chair of the Real Estate Council of Alberta, a director on the boards of Edmonton International Airport (YEG), AMII, and Atlas Global Brands. She is past-Chair of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and a former Director on the boards of Covenant Health, Edmonton Global and Alberta Ballet.

Elan has a long history in Alberta politics serving as Deputy Chief of Staff and Political Advisor to two Alberta Premiers, and as a political advisor to Cabinet Ministers.

Elan has a Master’s in Strategic Public Relations from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of Calgary.