Elizabeth Parkinson

A leading figure in strategic communications and brand marketing, Parkinson has more than 30 years of experience in higher education, professional sports, consumer products, business services, nonprofit organizations and government. She is overseeing the consolidation of Ohio State’s marketing and communications efforts into one unit responsible for overall brand, marketing and communications strategy and implementation. Parkinson leads an integrated team of strategic marketing and communications leaders focused on centralized centers of expertise, as well as college and unit-based professionals who support the distinct needs of their organizations in building brand strategies, enhancing community connections and engagement, and inspiring more students and families to seek Ohio State as a destination for excellence in education.

Parkinson came to Ohio State following a five-year tenure as assistant vice president for marketing communications at the University of Michigan, where she was responsible for the overall marketing and brand strategy for the university with direct oversight of brand management, creative, digital media, photography and video. She led all central marketing communication efforts including the successful affordability program, the Go Blue Guarantee. Parkinson also played an integral role in leading the campus’s COVID-19 communications effort, including several initiatives to promote safety measures, testing, shared responsibility and more.

Prior to joining the University of Michigan, Parkinson served as senior vice president of marketing and partnerships for the Detroit Lions. Her areas of oversight included marketing, partnerships, broadcast, digital, corporate communications, merchandise, game-day experience, community relations and youth education management. She previously served as the senior vice president of marketing and communications for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the state’s lead agency for business, talent and jobs, tourism, film and digital incentives, arts and cultural grants, and overall economic growth. Parkinson had direct oversight for the award-winning Pure Michigan campaign.

She also led marketing and public relations for Ann Arbor SPARK, the economic development agency for the Ann Arbor region, and worked for 10 years at the public relations agency Edelman, ultimately serving as general manager and executive vice president of the creative solutions group. At Edelman, she developed, coordinated and executed creative campaigns for multinational clients, including Microsoft, Kraft, Abbott, Pfizer, the Mexico Ministry of Tourism, the Illinois Board of Tourism and numerous others.

Parkinson received a bachelor’s degree in marketing and accounting from Alma College, where she also served on the Board of Trustees.

Additional board experience includes the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, Michigan Economic Development Foundation, Michigan Travel Commission, Washtenaw Economic Development Council and the Arts Alliance.

In addition to her husband and four children, Parkinson’s family includes one snake, one cat, one dog, and two melodramatic Roombas.