Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Select Presentations
Previous Positions
Certification
Accomplishments
References
Timeline
Manager
Elise Ackley

Elise Ackley

Summary

Dynamic policy analyst with extensive experience at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, excelling in legislative and regulatory initiatives. Proven track record in strategic planning and stakeholder management, leading to significant funding increases, and successful advocacy efforts. Recognized for exceptional leadership and impactful communication skills, driving public health policy advancements.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

POLICY ANALYST, Human Foods Program

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
College Park
12.2021 - Current
  • Led high-level legislative and regulatory projects across the Human Foods Program (HFP), addressing chemical food safety, dietary supplement policy, external communications, and food safety.
  • Directed rollout of the FY23-24 budgets, preparing talking points, speeches, and stakeholder remarks.
  • Spearheaded internal strike teams to negotiate policy inclusions in the User Fee Authorization legislation and Cures for Foods proposals.
  • Drafted an external-facing blueprint to guide HFP's short- and long-term strategic priorities, detailing objectives and deliverables for policy objectives.
  • Supported HFP leadership during the Reagan-Udall Foundation's Operational Evaluation of the Human Foods Program, creating background materials and presentations.
  • Prepared comprehensive memos and presentations for FDA and HHS leadership on various topics related to HFP priorities and initiatives.
  • Three-time FDA Honor Award winner for accomplishments contributing to the advancement of FDA’s mission.

SENIOR ADVISOR, Office of the Commissioner

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
White Oak
01.2024 - 01.2025
  • Provided strategic advice on Foods and Veterinary Medicine policy and operational performance for the Office of the Commissioner.
  • Engaged with the Chief of Staff in evaluating initiatives linked to FDA priorities.
  • Facilitated interdepartmental projects involving the Human Foods Program and Center for Veterinary Medicine.
  • Developed communication strategies addressing complex policy issues for external and internal dissemination.
  • Served as representative for the Commissioner in meetings across FDA and government agencies.
  • Functioned as the U.S. Department of Agriculture liaison for coordinating Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza response efforts.

OFFICER, Government Relations

The Pew Charitable Trusts
Washington
10.2017 - 12.2021
  • Directed legislative activities across health portfolios, focusing on FDA products and public health infrastructure.
  • Secured $3M increase for dietary supplement oversight funding and $2M for CDC's Antibiotic Resistance Solutions Initiative.
  • Spearheaded creation of government relations working group on dietary supplement safety; served as chair.
  • Planned multi-stakeholder advocacy fly-in with over 100 congressional meetings focused on antibiotic resistance.
  • Drafted testimony and coached experts for congressional hearings and witness panels.
  • Served as a primary liaison for Congress, senior staff, and federal health agencies.
  • Adapted 2021 advocacy event to fully virtual format, ensuring continued engagement.
  • Earned Pew Spot Award twice for enhancing pandemic response contributions and facilitating organization-wide Congress meetings.

POLICY AND APPROPRIATIONS ADVISOR

Office of Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro
Washington
12.2015 - 10.2017
  • Directed a comprehensive legislative agenda focusing on public health, the FDA, agriculture, energy, nutrition, and poverty issues.
  • Strategized priorities for agriculture, FDA, energy, and interior appropriation bills.
  • Collaborated with oversight committee staff and senior leadership to achieve policy objectives.
  • Served as the policy authority for responding to media inquiries regarding key issues.
  • Assisted in strengthening constituent services through district staff collaboration.
  • Managed congressional staff and stakeholders in bipartisan efforts addressing policy issues.
  • Secured $35.7M increase in appropriations for Food Safety Modernization Act implementation.
  • Drafted legislation for establishing a national drug price review board and mandatory recall authority.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Government Relations

American Veterinary Medical Association
Washington
08.2015 - 12.2015
  • Championed public health advocacy for federal policies impacting animal agriculture, and the environment.
  • Conducted outreach with congressional members to communicate key public health initiatives.
  • Created impactful advocacy messaging, including comprehensive briefing documents and talking points.
  • Served as a liaison for institutional committees focused on animal welfare.
  • Participated in significant meetings related to animal welfare and public health agendas.
  • Achieved over 100 co-sponsors for Prevent All Soring Tactics Act by engaging stakeholders.
  • Influenced adoption of an expanded organizational stance on veterinary medicine legislation.

CONGRESSIONAL FELLOW

Office of Senator Richard J. Durbin
Washington
08.2014 - 08.2015
  • Served as scientific and policy expert on public health, nutrition, food safety, consumer protection, and higher education.
  • Researched and analyzed public health appropriations strategies for FDA, CDC, USDA, and NIH oversight.
  • Secured $5.4 billion in emergency funding to address the Ebola outbreak through strategic coordination.
  • Spearheaded the U.S. Surgeon General confirmation efforts by organizing caucus support and media campaigns.
  • Drafted and introduced legislation to enhance safety standards for household products.
  • Collaborated with Illinois' response agencies to ensure preparedness for public health emergencies.
  • Achieved industry buy-in for child safety initiatives regarding laundry detergent pods.

ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN

Hollin Hall Animal Hospital
Alexandria
05.2014 - 08.2014
  • Managed veterinary technicians and assistants to ensure high-quality service delivery.
  • Created effective treatment plans after thorough diagnostic analysis.
  • Performed surgeries including sterilizations, lacerations, drain placements, and mass removals.
  • Provided expert advice to clients on health care and complex clinical decisions.

Education

DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE -

Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA
05-2014

Skills

  • Legislative, Regulatory, and Public Health Policy Development and Analysis
  • Policymaker Engagement
  • Project and Team Management
  • Strategic Planning and Implementation
  • Partnership Building and Stakeholder Management
  • Senior Leadership Advisement

Select Presentations

  • Policy's Impact on the Military and Public Health, Lecture, Army Veterinary Readiness Activity, Fort Belvoir, 2022-2024
  • Intersection of Policy and Veterinary Medicine, Lecture, Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association, 2019-2022
  • One Health and Antimicrobial Resistance, Lecture, University of Vermont, 2020

Previous Positions

  • USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, World Health Organization Office of Neglected Tropical Diseases, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Office of Health Affairs

Certification

  • Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine: Active License 2014-present

Accomplishments

  • 2025 FDA Honor Award for serving as USDA Liaison to HPAI IMG
  • 2024 FDA Honor Award for serving as a FDA-Wide GAO and OIG Liaison
  • 2023 FDA Honor Award for serving on FDA CBD Working Group
  • 2021 Pew SPOT Award for Adapting New Congressional Orientation to COVID-era Regulations
  • 2020 Pew SPOT Award for organizing Congressional Fly-in on Antibiotic Resistance

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

SENIOR ADVISOR, Office of the Commissioner

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
01.2024 - 01.2025

POLICY ANALYST, Human Foods Program

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
12.2021 - Current

OFFICER, Government Relations

The Pew Charitable Trusts
10.2017 - 12.2021

POLICY AND APPROPRIATIONS ADVISOR

Office of Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro
12.2015 - 10.2017

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Government Relations

American Veterinary Medical Association
08.2015 - 12.2015

CONGRESSIONAL FELLOW

Office of Senator Richard J. Durbin
08.2014 - 08.2015

ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN

Hollin Hall Animal Hospital
05.2014 - 08.2014

DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE -

Louisiana State University

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