Emily Vaughan

Emily Vaughan is a seasoned researcher, policy analyst, and communications strategist with more than a decade of experience in stakeholder engagement, policy influence, and data-driven decision-making. As the Senior Director of Client Service at Penta Group, she leads research-based consulting initiatives for Fortune 100 companies and major associations, advising on brand management, government affairs, and strategic communications.

Before joining Penta, Emily held leadership roles at Care2, where she specialized in digital advocacy, donor engagement, and email marketing strategies for nonprofit organizations. Prior, at the Urban Land Institute and Smart Growth America, she managed policy initiatives and community engagement programs focused on transportation and urban development and advised state agencies in Virginia and Michigan. Her first policy role was as an intern at the White House Council on Environmental Quality during the early implementation of President Obama's Climate Action Plan.

Emily holds a Master of Public Policy from the Goldman School at UC Berkeley and a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the Medill School at Northwestern University. A northern Virginia native, she currently lives in Washington DC with her partner and rescue dog, Keppe.