Nicole Elkon

Nicole Elkon has served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Professional and Cultural Exchanges in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) since February of last year. She leads the State Department’s global efforts on cultural and sports diplomacy exchanges, youth programs, and the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

Nicole has held previous positions in ECA, including DAS of Private Sector Exchange, Director of the Office of Public-Private Partnerships, and Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary. She was the Press Secretary at the U.S. Small Business Administration and worked in the White House as the Director for Planning for the National Security Council and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Scheduling during the Clinton Administration.

Outside of the federal government, Nicole has extensive experience in public affairs and strategic communications, having served as Chief of Staff and Director of Communications of the 9/11 United Services Group (USG), Vice President for International Communications and Strategic Planning at Merrill Lynch, and Director of External Affairs at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, CT. She has also worked in the non-profit and advocacy sectors as the Chief Operating Officer of Human Rights First (HRF) and as a Senior Advisor at Results for America.

Ms. Elkon is a native New Yorker. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.