Aerial Ellis, Ph.D., the Wells Fargo Endowed Professor in North Carolina Central University’s (NCCU) Department of Mass Communication, recently joined Echo Research’s advisory board, a leading communication, brand and reputation research company.
At NCCU, Ellis significantly contributes to the visibility and growth of the public relations concentration through her roles in teaching, research and thought leadership. Additionally, she serves as the managing principal of Advisory 83, a consultancy specializing in strategic planning, training, and coaching within diversity, inclusion and equity. Notably, her expertise has been sought by prominent organizations, including the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, AIG, Asurion, Learfield, Microsoft, National Urban League, Starbucks, Teach for America and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Ellis is also a partner at My Village Votes, a market research firm collaborating with advocacy, civic, and non-profit organizations to enhance consumer and civic engagement with a focus on communities of color.
In a press release announcing Ellis’ new position, Sandra Macleod, group CEO of Echo Research, highlighted the advisory board's strength and how Ellis’ addition enhances the company’s commitment to delivering evidence-based insights and pragmatic counsel for leaders seeking better outcomes.
“Echo’s 19-strong Advisory Board brings together senior specialists with expertise in specific sectors, geographies or strategic communications areas such as crisis, ESG, investor activism and major change,” said Macleod. “We are building our advisory board to work alongside Echo’s specialist research teams to deliver pragmatic counsel based on their experience and our evidence-based insights to support leaders aiming for better.”
Ellis’ leadership extends to various organizations, including the Public Relations Society of America Foundation Board of Directors, Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations and the Nashville Women of Color in Communications Network. Her accolades include the Nashville Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, the Women of Influence “Trailblazer” and Nashville’s Top 30 under 30. She is also the author of "The Original Millennial," a work focusing on six defining lessons of leadership for millennials, accompanied by a professional development curriculum for intergenerational workplaces.
Headquartered in London, Echo Research is dedicated to providing impactful and insightful research to organizations across sectors, from government to technology.
