Erica Elliott Richardson Named ICI Chief Public Communications Officer

Strategic Public Affairs and Branding Expert to Lead Communications

Washington, DC; August 2, 2021—Dr. Erica Elliott Richardson will join the Investment Company Institute (ICI) on August 16, 2021, to serve as ICI’s chief public communications officer.

Richardson brings great experience in strategic public affairs to the role, most recently as a managing director at FTI Consulting, where she led their financial services public affairs practice and specialized in counseling global financial institutions on political risk, reputation challenges, and media management. Previously, Richardson served as the director of the Office of Public Affairs at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), where she was responsible for strategic communications and brand management, as well as developing and executing external communications strategies. She also coordinated CFTC communications between federal financial services agencies. Richardson began her career in Washington on Capitol Hill as a communications director working with the House Financial Services Committee during the 2007–2009 financial crisis and Dodd-Frank legislative process, prior to serving as the top spokesperson for the Office of the Majority Whip in the House of Representatives.

“Erica has proven herself an effective leader in every role she’s held,” said ICI President and CEO Eric J. Pan. “I look forward to her leading the Institute forward with new communications initiatives and a strategic effort to promote and strengthen ICI’s voice.”

“ICI is an exceptional organization with a storied history of advocacy for global regulated funds and their investors,” said Richardson. “I’m honored to join the Institute’s leadership and partner with its staff and members to refine and raise the fund industry’s voice through our communications.”

Richardson holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Auburn University. She earned a doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University, writing her doctoral thesis on the potential legislative and regulatory frameworks for virtual currency in the United States. She serves on the board of Rosie Riveters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering girls to be strong, confident, and competent in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).