Ellen Carmichael is the founder and president of The Lafayette Company, a full-service political communications and public relations consultancy dedicated to delivering the real results that matter for political, campaign, corporate, and non-profit clients. She has spent 15 years serving as a senior communications strategist to a variety of public figures and organizations, including a front-running Republican presidential candidate, several Members of Congress, statewide elected officials, large political non-profits, corporations, trade associations, advocacy groups, international NGOs, and more.

In recognition for her achievements, Carmichael was named a member of CNN’s 2011 “New Guard,” a distinction awarded to a handful of top newsmakers each year. In 2014, Red Alert Politics named her one of the top “30 Under 30” professionals in the political industry. She is a frequent columnist and commentator in hundreds of publications worldwide. She often serves as a guest lecturer at universities, campaign schools, and international corporations on the state of American politics and communication strategies.

A proud Louisianan, Carmichael graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Mass Communication: Political Communication. She is a member of the Junior League of Washington and Tri Delta Women’s Fraternity. She resides in Alexandria, Va., with her husband and their three very small children. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling throughout Europe and learning about architecture.