Lindsay Akers

Lindsay Akers serves as Vice President of External Affairs at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, where she is responsible for government relations including coordination of VEDP’s policy and budget priorities, managing strategic engagement with members of the General Assembly and staff, and coordinating with VEDP staff to ensure awareness and knowledge of ongoing policy issues impacting economic development. Additionally, Akers manages partner relations and coordinates with VEDP staff to maintain positive and productive relationships with partners through the Partner Relations Team (PRT), partner protocols, and developing communications and staff talking points on key issues.

Experience
Previously, Akers held progressive roles on VEDP’s External Affairs team, most recently as Director of Government Relations. In those roles, she led the agency’s budget and policy development efforts, supported major economic development initiatives, and oversaw VEDP’s stakeholder outreach strategy. Prior to rejoining VEDP, Akers served as Legislative Director for the Office of the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Virginia, where she managed policy development, budget priorities, and legislative strategy on behalf of the Attorney General. Before joining VEDP in January 2019, she served at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, where she supported legislative affairs and helped launch the GO Virginia program — an economic development initiative that fosters collaboration among local governments, higher education, the workforce system, and the private sector.

Education
B.A., Public and Urban Affairs – Virginia Tech
M.P.A. – Virginia Tech
Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management – Virginia Tech
The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership – University of Virginia