Erika Sward

Erika Sward is Assistant Vice President of National Advocacy for the American Lung Association. In this capacity, she directs advocacy strategy and activities on tobacco control, asthma, and other lung health policy issues for the Lung Association. She serves as the Lung Association's lead lobbyist with Congress and the Administration on tobacco control, appropriations, asthma and other lung disease and lung health issues. Sward also oversees federal advocacy outreach including grassroots lobbying and coalition partnerships, and also provides strategic advice on state and local initiatives.

Sward is a media spokesperson for the American Lung Association, speaking on a variety of topics – from e-cigarettes, to tobacco cessation coverage to FDA regulation of tobacco products. She is regularly interviewed by Politico, Reuters and other publications. She has also appeared on ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and other networks.

Prior to joining the American Lung Association's Washington National Office in 2006, Sward served as Associate Director for Advocacy at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, where she primarily worked on advancing federal legislation and policy. Sward was also an analyst for Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, a survey research firm, from 1999 to 2003.

Originally from Ohio, Sward received her BA in Political Science and M.A. in American Politics from American University.