A native San Diegan, Elyse Lowe studied environmental studies and earth science, with an emphasis on policy and planning, at UC Santa Cruz. Elyse started her career with the City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department managing citywide recycling programs. She then worked in the City’s Financial Management Department as a Budget Analyst.

Elyse began to see herself as an agent of change for San Diego. Her goal was to be a positive force for community improvement in her hometown. After completing the Community Economic Development program at the SDSU School of Business, Elyse joined the staff of San Diego City Councilmember Jim Madaffer. During his terms in office, Elyse was his Council Representative, and was appointed as the Crossroads Redevelopment Project Area Director. She advised the Councilmember regularly on land use issues. She became the City Council’s Land Use and Housing Committee Consultant, and ultimately the City Council’s Rules and Intergovernmental Relations Committee Consultant.

In these leadership positions, Elyse was able to enact change by working directly on community improvement projects, and advising on land use planning policy decisions that affect the way we live in San Diego.

In December 2008, Elyse became the Executive Director of Move San Diego, the only non-profit in San Diego advocating for world-class public transit and sustainable transportation alternatives for our region. She is now the Deputy Executive Director of Circulate San Diego, since Move San Diego's merger with WalkSanDiego to form Circulate San Diego, and is excited about the organization's important contribution to the future of our region.