The PR Studio

Elaine Driscoll has been a dedicated public servant for nearly 20 years, serving in several high-profile communications roles at the municipal and state level of government. A seasoned communications strategist and experienced crisis manager, her work is credited with helping high-visibility public safety and regulatory agencies exceed organizational goals, enhance transparency and accountability, and adeptly manage inevitable crises.

In 2021, Driscoll joined the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) as the Director of Communications and Policy. In this role, she guides communication strategy across the secretariat and engages in policy development to advance and promote public safety statewide.

Before joining EOPSS, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts awarded Driscoll the Harvard Bradford Fellowship for Excellence in Public Administration, one of the state’s most esteemed programs for leaders in public service. Driscoll completed her fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School during the 2020-21 academic year, earning a Master in Public Administration.

Before pursuing graduate studies at HKS, Driscoll spent eight years leading communications and media relations at the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.  She joined the then-newly created regulatory agency as its first communications director in 2012, shortly after the state legalized casino gaming.  In this role, Driscoll developed the MGC’s comprehensive communications strategy to stand up the new public agency and successfully introduce the state’s nascent billion-dollar casino industry. Driscoll served as primary media liaison and developed communication and public awareness campaigns to advance the organization’s top priorities, including a robust licensing process, workforce and economic development, diversity and inclusion, and responsible gaming and problem gambling mitigation.

In 2016, the gaming commission selected Driscoll as the recipient of the Commissioner James F. McHugh Award, an annual recognition for the employee whose public service best represents the valued qualities of wisdom, intellectual integrity, fidelity to the law, human decency, and humor. That same year, The State House News Service recognized Driscoll as “Press Secretary of the Year.”

Before her role at MGC, Driscoll spent over six years as the communications director for the Boston Police Department, where she was responsible for the modernization of the agency’s overall approach to external and internal communication, community engagement, and media relations. During her tenure, the BPD received national accolades for its pioneering approach to community outreach and innovative digital strategies, including the first-time integration of social media and the launch of the country’s first-ever anonymous text-a-tip program.

Driscoll also served as BPD’s primary spokesperson during significant crime incidents, police disciplinary matters, and large-scale protests and events.

Early in her career, she worked in the private sector in Boston and Los Angeles and led communications campaigns for high-profile clients in various industries, including professional sports, media, restaurants, and hospitality.

In addition to her MPA, Driscoll earned a Certificate in Management, Leadership, and Decision Sciences while attending HKS in 2020-21. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Arizona State University.

She resides in Canton, Mass., with her husband, Luke Holbrook, and their young son Shane.