elena cizmaric

atlanta united
senior director of communications

Hired as a corporate communications director for AMB Group, LLC in 2014, Elena assumed lead strategic business communications responsibilities across the Blank Family of Businesses, specifically focusing on the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.  In this role, Elena managed communications efforts for multiple projects including the Mercedes-Benz Stadium groundbreaking, the Atlanta United brand launch, training ground project and Mercedes-Benz Stadium naming rights and Founding Partner announcements. 

Beginning with the announcement of the city’s new MLS team in April, 2014, Elena has led comprehensive communications strategy and execution for the club including media relations, executive and player management, event and match-day execution, brand identity, and community relations.  In January 2016, one year prior to the club’s inaugural season, she transitioned to her current role solely focusing on communications responsibilities for Atlanta United.

 In 2018, in only its second year of existence, Atlanta United won its first MLS Cup championship and was also named the Sports Business Journal’s Sports Team of the Year (2018) across all professional sports.  The communications team also won top honors in 2018 winning Major League Soccer’s PR Team of the Year.  

Prior to joining the Blank Family of Businesses, Elena spent eight years with Turner Enterprises, Inc. managing communications and events for CNN founder Ted Turner’s for-profit and philanthropic operations.

 Elena was a varsity cheerleader at Penn State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communications.