ELY Public Affairs Turns 5 Today

As ELY Public Affairs celebrates its 5-year anniversary this week, we're reflecting on five years of growth, impact, and public service. Aligned with the spirit of Independence Day, we're honoring the power of civic engagement and the role public affairs plays in shaping stronger communities. All week, we’ll be sharing five reflections for five years of ELY Public Affairs.

At the height of the COVID pandemic, I left the non-profit world (and simultaneously lit my healthcare benefits on fire) to start ELY Public Affairs. The idea had been simmering for years, but the upheaval of 2020 pushed me to act. I believed then, as I do now: if we’re serious about meeting this moment and shaping a better future, our field needs stronger, smarter communicators. 

Our engineers and planning professionals in the transportation and land use fields were failing to make the changes necessary to meet our moment. Not because their ideas weren’t sound, but because they lacked the experience to effectively communicate their ideas and build support. How could I, as a communicator, campaigner, and engagement specialist in this field, help bring these ideas to life?

I started ELY Public Affairs with bold ideas and a clear vision—for professionals who just needed a little help turning that vision into action. From day one, it’s been about more than talk. It’s about making things happen and building the community to make it last—one place at a time.

I’m deeply grateful for the people who believed in ELY Public Affairs before there was even a logo and brand behind it. Your trust has helped us shape our company and our voice.

In just five years, we've grown in ways I couldn’t have imagined, from shaping maritime workforce and infrastructure messaging to launching new tools that elevate community voices. Through it all, one thing has stayed the same: our mission to help build places people are proud to call home.

Looking Ahead

As I look to the next five years, I’m inspired and energized by how community building is becoming even more important and confident in the leadership role ELY Public Affairs will continue to play in shaping what’s next. Say hi over on LinkedIn and stay tuned throughout the week as we share reflections of ELY and offer a peek into our next chapter!

Say hi over on LinkedIn

Thank you for being part of this exciting journey. We hope you join us for what’s next.