Elise Rowan serves as the deputy vice president of NTI’s Communications team. She leads the organization’s Critical Mass project, which harnesses the power of culture and runs award-winning campaigns to build political will for change. Critical Mass partners with some of the biggest filmmakers and television creators on how to tell gripping stories about nuclear risks with heart and accuracy.
She rejoined the organization in 2022 after a prior stint with NTI from 2011 to 2016 where she helped launch the inaugural edition of the NTI Nuclear Security Index and the International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification.
Prior to her return to NTI, she spent six years in various fundraising and strategic communication advisory roles with the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association, a nationwide network of nearly 1,000 programs and 100,000 volunteers advocating for children and families involved with the foster care system.
Elise has also held positions with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism, the Ploughshares Fund, and the Stimson Center.
She has an MA in security policy studies with concentrations in transnational security policy and strategic communication from The Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University and a BS in international business management and French from Butler University. She lives in DC with her husband, two small children, dog, and cat.
Elise Rowan serves as the deputy vice president of NTI’s Communications team. She co-leads the organization’s Critical Mass project, which harnesses the power of culture and campaigns to change the narrative on nuclear weapons and shift political incentives toward policies that reduce nuclear risks.
From crane-adorned desks to shelves brimming with inspiration, the women of NTI have created spaces as dynamic as their work. In honor of Women’s History Month, this photo essay highlights how four of them have made their spaces their own—and how those spaces shape their contributions to a field historically dominated by men.
Elise Rowan peeks under the hood of NTI's award-winning "Make Nukes History" campaign.
Past Project 
Moving away from outdated thinking on nuclear weapons
Using GIFs and memes to reframe nuclear deterrence for new audiences
The power to craft a safer future is in our hands
Building a critical mass of public support to eliminate nuclear weapons risks.
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