About the Principal
Meet Elise Durham
Strategic Advisor. Executive Communicator. Cultural Convener.
Nationally recognized communications executive, C-suite advisor, Emmy Award-winning producer, and cultural curator with more than three decades of leadership experience.
“Leadership
is not a title.
It is the clarity to act,
the courage to speak,
and the wisdom to know
when silence is the strategy.”
Elise Durham
Biography
Elise M. Durham is a nationally recognized communications executive, C-suite advisor, executive speechwriter, producer, and cultural curator with more than three decades of leadership experience spanning media, government, higher education, aviation, and public affairs.
Known for blending newsroom precision with strategic vision, she helps leaders navigate high-stakes moments, strengthen institutional trust, and communicate with confidence.
As founder and Principal Innovator of The Creative Exchange, Durham advises executives, organizations, public officials, and brands on executive communications, crisis strategy, reputation management, leadership positioning, event production, and stakeholder engagement.
Career Highlights
A Record of Leadership.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Assistant General Manager & Senior Vice President
Overseeing Marketing, Communications, Public Affairs, Community Affairs, International Affairs, Sponsorships, and ATL Experiences at the world's busiest airport.
City of Atlanta
Chief Communications Officer
Led communications for two mayoral administrations, including strategic leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Morehouse College
Executive Director of Strategic Communications
Served as White House liaison for presidential visits and led institutional communications strategy.
Florida A&M University
Associate Vice President for Marketing, Communications & Media Relations
Directed comprehensive marketing and communications strategy for one of the nation's premier HBCUs.
Television News
Award-Winning Producer & Newsroom Leader
Emmy and Telly Award-winning producer across multiple major-market television stations, including WSB-TV, WAGA-TV, CBS46, and KPRC-TV.
The Creative Exchange
Founder & Principal Innovator
A creative studio and cultural collaborative producing meaningful conversations around leadership, wellness, entrepreneurship, media, and community.
Trusted By
Organizations & Leaders Served.
Fortune 500 Leaders
Higher Education Institutions
Municipal Governments
National Nonprofit Organizations
Media Organizations
Law Firms
Thought Leaders
Authors & Speakers