Former CNN Senior Reporter Ella Nilsen Joins Echo Communications Advisors as Vice President

Nilsen Brings Deep Knowledge of Clean Energy, Climate, and Conservation Policy—and How the Political Landscape Shapes Outcomes in Washington and Across the Country

Echo Communications Advisors, a D.C.-based public affairs firm exclusively focused on shaping clean energy, climate, and conservation policy, today announced that Ella Nilsen has joined the firm as Vice President.

Nilsen is a well-respected former energy and political reporter who joins Echo from CNN. She brings to the role a deep understanding of clean energy policy, as well as the political landscape, that will benefit clients as she advises them through moments of challenge and opportunity in Washington, D.C. and in state capitals across the country. Nilsen will be based in Boston and will help Echo expand its footprint in New England.

“In Ella, we’ve hired a real star in the clean energy space,” said Chris Moyer, president and CEO of Echo Communications Advisors. “Ella brings deep expertise in the policy and politics of clean energy, climate, and conservation. She knows how elected officials think because she’s covered them extensively on Capitol Hill during Inflation Reduction Act negotiations and on the campaign trail as they ran for president. Her perspective will be indispensable to our clients as they navigate ever-changing political landscapes. We’re building an unmatched team that’s becoming the go-to strategic communications firm for companies, non-profits, and leaders seeking to shape clean energy policy.”

“I’m very excited to work with Echo’s team and a growing roster of exciting clients in the space,” said Nilsen. “I’m fascinated by the moment that the clean energy industry is in. Energy politics are far from decided as Democratic and Republican voters across the country are dealing with mounting unaffordability. Whether it is wind turbines on farmland, a solar panel on your balcony, or getting paid to send the power your house generates back to the grid, clean energy should be synonymous with giving all Americans the ability to choose their own energy future. Echo’s smart and nimble team is at the forefront of this work.”

Most recently, Nilsen served as a Climate and Energy Reporter at CNN, where she established herself as a leading voice on clean energy policy, national climate legislation, and environmental regulation. Prior to her time at CNN, Nilsen covered Congress and national politics for Vox and provided political and enterprise reporting for the Concord Monitor, including extensive coverage of national election campaigns and presidential primary cycles.

A hallmark of Nilsen’s career was her comprehensive, year-long coverage of the Inflation Reduction Act — the landmark federal legislative package that reshaped American energy policy and clean technology investment. Her dedicated reporting tracked every stage of the legislation’s passage, implementation, and economic impact across industries, providing readers with unmatched depth, clarity, and context.

Nilsen’s background directly aligns with Echo Communications Advisors’s mission to help organizations navigate complex energy policy landscapes, craft compelling narratives, and drive meaningful impact. Her ​​experience distilling legislative frameworks and campaign dynamics into clear narratives will add to Echo’s capabilities in public affairs and strategic communications in the clean energy sector.