Ellen Carmichael

Founder & President

Ellen Carmichael is the founder and president of The Lafayette Company, a full-service political communications 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, Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, advocacy groups, 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, Tri Delta Women’s Fraternity, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is also a parishioner at the Basilica of St. Mary. She resides in Alexandria, Va., with her husband, Walter, and their three children aged three and under: Elizabeth, Christian, and Camille.