Lauren Zelin
Director of Communications, Office of the President & CEO
Lauren Zelin is Director of Communications to the President & CEO. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the CEO's internal and external communications to advance the Institute's priorities. She is responsible for developing and overseeing the brand strategy for the CEO, including strategic events, messaging, media presence, content creation and stakeholder engagement. She also oversees internal staff communications from the President’s office and activities to reinforce a positive work culture.
Previously, Lauren was Director of Media Relations and Strategy at WRI. She worked closely with journalists around the world to amplify WRI's research, data and analysis. Her experience includes designing outreach strategies, distilling key messages, engaging with reporters, conceiving and coordinating high profile launch events and identifying opportunities for WRI's work to have greater impact. She has supported nearly all of WRI's projects and platforms during more than a decade at the Institute.
Lauren is a communications strategist and media relations professional with more than 15 years of experience communicating on environment and development issues, in addition to two years as a journalist for the Washington Post. She joined WRI from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, where she consulted on a range of communications and strategy initiatives. Prior to DOE, Lauren was Manager of Corporate Development and Communications for Clear Carbon, a boutique carbon consulting firm that was purchased by Deloitte. She began her career in public relations with Edelman in the Corporate Communications practice, helping establish Walmart's reputation around business sustainability.
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband Michael and three kids, and loves to travel and cook.