Elizabeth Castro, Vice President
Elizabeth Castro has 14 years of experience in communications with a career focused on issues management, corporate reputation, government relations and employee engagement.

Previously, she served as a director in the corporate affairs division at the global public relations firm Weber Shandwick. While there she worked with and managed a range of clients including ADM, the Green Building Initiative, Mars and the Alzheimer's Association. Her work included account management, developing strategies and campaigns, message development, media outreach and event planning.

Prior to her work with Weber Shandwick, Elizabeth headed up public relations and employee communications at Peoples Energy (renamed Integrys), a diversified energy company and natural gas utility. Her chief responsibilities included acting as company spokesperson for corporate media inquiries and physical emergencies such as gas leaks and explosions, as well as coordinating with the Department of the Environment on issues related to gas prices. She also helped to develop the company's first comprehensive employee engagement program that included conducting focus groups, launching an employee rewards program, revamping communication tools and implementing new procedures.

Elizabeth first gained agency experience at Jasculca Terman and Associates, a well-respected public affairs firm with strong ties to appointed and elected officials at the city, state and federal levels. Her key accounts included AT&T where she helped to build the Illinois Coalition for Competitive Communications that led to the passage of key state legislation, and Allied Waste where she helped to secure approval for the expansion of the nation's fifth largest landfill.

Elizabeth received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Kansas City Art Institute where her creativity first led her to pursue a career in arts administration with a focus in communications. Her last non profit position was with the Art Institute of Chicago's Gene Siskel Film Center as the assistant director of public relations and development.