Georgetown has tapped Adrea Turner, a leader with over 20 years working in state and local government, to serve as the new vice president for government relations and community engagement.
Turner will begin in her new role on Jan. 5, 2026. 
Since 2024, Turner has served as the chief of staff in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. In the mayor’s office, she has helped guide economic revitalization, real estate and workforce initiatives across Washington, DC.
“We extend our warmest welcome to Adrea as she joins the Georgetown community,” said Joseph Ferrara, senior vice president for strategic engagement and senior advisor to the president at Georgetown. “Adrea has been a wonderful partner to work with from the mayor’s office, and we are excited for her to lead the team working to facilitate our engagement with the federal government and the city of Washington, DC, and its people.”
In her new role, Turner will lead the university’s engagement with the federal government, DC government and local community stakeholders. She will also help support relationships with other corporate, nonprofit partners and international partners.
“Georgetown already has a profound impact in the community, and there is tremendous opportunity to deepen that impact further,” Turner said. “I am excited to bring my experience in government and nonprofit leadership to this new role and to help strengthen Georgetown’s engagement with stakeholders locally, nationally and internationally.”
A Career in Public Service
Turner’s career in local government started in her hometown of Greenville, South Carolina.
She had just graduated from college and wanted to work for a couple of years before applying to law school. She coordinated special events in the arts and entertainment field for the City of Greenville, from weekend farmers’ markets to weekly jazz concerts.
She fell in love with public service and dropped her plans for a legal career, opting to pursue a master’s in public administration from the College of Charleston.
“I’ve always believed that the work we do should make a difference,” she said. “From major policy initiatives to special events that bring vibrancy to a city, I witnessed how thoughtful programs and policies can stimulate economic activity and build community. Those experiences became an important foundation for my later work in public policy, economic development and creating places where people feel connected.”
Since her first role in municipal government, Turner has served in roles across state and local government. She’s developed an expertise in infrastructure and economic development, previously serving in the departments of transportation in DC, Baltimore and the state of Maryland. She’s also worked for nonprofit organizations, including the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Baltimore Committee and the Urban Institute.
Building Partnerships at Georgetown
In her current role for the DC government, Turner has worked on economic revitalization projects around the city.
She’s supported efforts to convert empty office spaces to new housing after the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, Turner has also worked on initiatives to attract new industries to DC, particularly in the face of the shifting federal landscape and loss of federal jobs.
“It has been an incredible honor to contribute to the future and vision of our city,” she said.
Since then, Turner has supported the city’s efforts to focus on using entertainment and sports as an anchor for downtown DC. In these efforts, she has worked on the $800 million redevelopment plans for the Capital One Arena and future plans for the RFK Stadium.
Throughout her work for the DC government, Turner collaborated with Georgetown and university leadership. She found that Georgetown’s Catholic and Jesuit values aligned with her own values and commitment to public service. She said she was struck by how Georgetown lives out its mission through the work the university does in the DC area.
“What stood out to me is that Georgetown’s leadership genuinely lives the university’s mission,” she said. “You see it in the way the institution partners with government and community leaders. That authenticity and commitment to values and service are what inspired me to join the university.”
Turner said she’s eager to engage with partners on the university’s growing Capitol Campus to attract new investment in downtown DC, which will create a more vibrant experience for Georgetown students, she said.
“It is remarkable to see Georgetown’s downtown expansion happening alongside the city’s effort to reimagine the area,” Turner said. “In the next decade, downtown will look and feel completely different. This moment is pivotal for both the city and the university and will shape the future of each.”
In her new role, Turner said she is looking forward to further developing her existing relationships and partnerships with government stakeholders, community partners and businesses to advance Georgetown’s mission.
“I truly love this city, and I love the role that Georgetown plays within it. The university is such a strong civic leader and an integral part of Washington’s story. I’m excited that my connection to the city will once again be at the heart of my work.”
