Elan MacDonald
Board member
Board member
Elan MacDonald, ICD.D, is the vice-president, external relations at the University of Alberta. She has spent her career advising organizations and corporations how to sustain and grow their business by navigating government; policy development; crisis communications; the regulatory and legislative processes; and shifting political, social and economic landscapes.
As president and chief executive officer 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 for national client development.
Elan offers a unique perspective among government relations and communications 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 Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and a director on the boards of Edmonton Global, Atlas Biotechnologies 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 a political advisor to cabinet ministers.