Manager of Communications

Erica Giesenhagen grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado, and stayed close to home to attend Colorado State University. She earned both her bachelor’s degree (2019) and Master of Science (2023) in Journalism and Media Communication, completing a thesis on how communication can influence behavior change among outdoor workers during air quality events.

Throughout her academic and professional career, Erica has worked with several high-profile agencies, including the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the National Park Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the City of Fort Collins, and Larimer County.

Erica now serves as the Manager of Communications at AgNext, where she leads the organization’s external communications strategy and supports outreach across research, industry, and stakeholder partnerships. She lives in a tiny house with her dog, Willie Mays, and enjoys finding creative ways to reduce her environmental footprint in everyday life.