Ellie Casson

About Ellie Casson

Ellie is an experienced organizer and political strategist who specializes in bridging the gap between tech and the community, with a focus on sustainability and social justice. Ellie has managed multiple political campaigns at a local and national level and has worked for two of today\'s most innovative companies - Airbnb and Waymo. Ellie has deep knowledge of land use planning and the entitlement process. Specifically, Ellie has extensive experience doing grassroots organizing, coalition building, and lobbying decision makers on issues of transit-oriented development, mixed-modal transit systems, the sharing economy, affordable housing, social justice, and climate-friendly development in Northern California. A skilled relationship builder, Ellie has worked closely and successfully with elected officials, labor, government agencies, the business community, real estate developers, environmentalists, and community members. While she firmly believes there is no substitute for old-fashioned face-to-face conversations, Ellie sees technology as an increasingly important part of the civic process. Ellie always tries to bring an innovative and thoughtful approach to any work she does.

Experience

1. Head of City Policy and Government Affairs

   Waymo

   Sep 2017 — Present · CA

   In charge of developing and executing Waymo’s strategy for engaging w/cities and the issues that matter to cities.Manage team of Local Policy and Community Managers who oversee our work in Arizona and California.Advise Waymo leadership on how to consider general and specific city conditions when making company decisions.

Education

• Hampshire College

  B.A., Sustainable Community Planning

  2006 — 2007

• Dover High School

  High School Diploma, Gradutated with honors, 4.0 GPA

  1999 — 2003

• University of Toronto - University College

  Urban Studies

  2003 — 2005