Erin Cahill

Director of Communications

Erin Cahill is a strategic communicator focused on advancing equity and opportunity. As Communications Director at the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group, she helps shape how rural communities are seen, heard, and understood—bridging policy, philanthropy, and practice to support people working on the ground.

Erin leads narrative strategy, designs peer learning spaces for rural communicators, and ensures that Aspen CSG’s storytelling reflects the depth and diversity of rural experiences, especially those in communities of color and Native nations. Her work helps national audiences connect with rural leaders and solutions that often go overlooked.

Before joining Aspen CSG, Erin managed campaigns and editorial strategy at the Case Foundation, highlighting equity in philanthropy and entrepreneurship. She’s also worked in economic policy communications at Third Way and taught in Madrid, Spain.

Raised in rural North Carolina, Erin brings personal grounding to her work. She’s driven by the belief that communities across the country should be places where each and every person belongs, lives with dignity, and has a fair shot at a good life.

When she’s not working, you’ll likely find Erin on a tennis court trying to figure out the mechanics of a good serve or reading a book.

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Erin Cahill's Posts
Blog
Volunteer places a 'Vote Here' sign outside a rural community center before polls open.
A Reminder To Reporters: If You’ve Seen One Rural Place … You’ve Seen One Rural Place

By shaping accurate narratives, we can drive fair and just investments and policies that honor the people and places at the heart of rural and Indigenous communities.

Blog
Ten Books for Rethinking Rural and Indigenous Development

Stories shape how we understand people and places. This list highlights narratives and research on the systemic forces affecting rural and Indigenous communities.

Blog
How Rural Development Hubs Can Strengthen Rural Health Transformation Program Implementation

Rural Development Hub leaders say new funding like RHTP works best when regions interpret it against existing priorities, coordinate it through existing partnerships, and adapt it to local context — rather than treating it as a distinct program.

Blog
Ten Podcasts Focused on Rural Community and Economic Development

Check out our roundup of podcasts highlighting important issues about and to rural communities and Native nations.

Blog
Seven Regional Strategies That Build Lasting Rural Strength

Lessons from Rural Development Hubs on building regional capacity, redesigning systems, and advancing locally-driven wealth creation.

Blog
PA Wilds Conservation Shop. Photos courtesy of PA Wilds.
Honoring Place and Telling Accurate Rural Stories

PA Wilds Center’s Ta Enos shares how local storytelling and place-based entrepreneurship strengthen rural economies and belonging, drawing on Aspen CSG’s Rural Development Hubs model.