Lauren Gellatly
About Lauren Gellatly
Lauren Gellatly serves as the Advocacy and Campaigns Manager at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, where she focuses on campaign strategies and coalition building. With a background in urban planning and community development, she has held various roles in organizations dedicated to economic development and independent business support.
Current Role at Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Lauren Gellatly serves as the Advocacy and Campaigns Manager at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance since 2022. In this role, she executes campaign strategies and manages relationships with allied organizations and coalition partners. She works with a coalition of nearly 30 independent business groups and alliances that advocate for antimonopoly reforms, focusing on promoting local economies and supporting independent businesses.
Previous Experience at Trust for Public Land
Prior to her current position, Lauren Gellatly worked at the Trust for Public Land as a Senior Marketing & Development Associate from 2004 to 2009. During her five years in the Charleston, South Carolina area, she contributed to various marketing and development initiatives aimed at enhancing public spaces and promoting community engagement.
Leadership at Lowcountry Local First
Lauren Gellatly held the position of Director of Operations at Lowcountry Local First from 2018 to 2022. In this role, she focused on operational management and strategic initiatives to support local businesses. Additionally, she served as the Director of Community Development from 2013 to 2018, where she played a key role in fostering community engagement and economic development in the Charleston area.
Education and Academic Background
Lauren Gellatly holds a Master of Science in City and Regional Planning from Pratt Institute. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Historic Preservation & Community Planning from the College of Charleston. Her academic background provides a strong foundation for her work in advocacy and community development.
Experience in Urban Planning and Research
Lauren Gellatly gained experience as an Urban Planning Fellow at the Pratt Center for Community Development from 2010 to 2011. Additionally, she worked as a Research & Communications Intern at the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation in 2012. These roles contributed to her expertise in urban planning and community engagement.