Amy Elsbree is deputy chief communications officer and associate vice president for strategic communications and outreach at the Urban Institute. Along with leading department-wide initiatives for the communications team, Elsbree oversees the events, writing, and editorial teams as they use storytelling and conversation to make complex research accessible for changemakers and communities through publications, written products, and convenings. Elsbree previously served as the senior director of external affairs, overseeing Urban’s government affairs, stakeholder outreach, and events functions. 

Before joining Urban, Elsbree was director of public affairs and member relations at the National League of Cities, where she managed strategic communications, corporate relations, and member relations. Previously, she was director of the Academy for State and Local Government and held various government affairs and communications positions at Amtrak. Early in her career, she worked for the Office of Federal Relations for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and on Capitol Hill for Senator John Kerry.

Elsbree has a bachelor’s degree from Williams College and a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.