Team :: Senior Director of Government Affairs, Consultant EMJAE Strategies
Malcolm J. Yates
Senior Director of Government Affairs, Consultant EMJAE Strategies
Malcolm J. Yates is a political strategist and government relations executive with an extensive record of aligning community needs with legislative action. Known for maintaining an expansive network across the Delaware Valley, Harrisburg and Washington DC, he specializes in connecting local stakeholders with elected officials at every level of government to drive policy reform and regional investment.
Yates’ executive career serves as a blueprint for high-stakes leadership. He most recently served as the Southeastern Pennsylvania Political Director for the historic Harris-Walz presidential campaign, where he orchestrated the political strategy for the most critical region in the 2024 national election. Prior to his national roles, he was the inaugural architect of government relations for the Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), a role he pioneered by securing more than $50 million in services and contracts to fortify the region’s social safety net. His legislative mastery was forged at the epicenter of state government, having served as Chief of Staff in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and as Director of District Outreach for Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon.
What sets Malcolm J. Yates apart is his unique ability to align the needs of the community with the priorities of elected officials. He is the strategist leaders turn to when the stakes are highest, evidenced by his appointments to Governor Josh Shapiro’s Commission for African American Affairs and his influential roles on the transition teams for Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and Chester City Mayor Stefan Roots. As a regular fixture on City & State PA’s “Power of Diversity: Black 100” and the “Government Relations 100,” Yates is recognized not just for his access, but for his deep influence on the political strategies that move the needle for millions. His drive is anchored in a profound personal commitment to justice.
A Philadelphia native, Malcolm’s advocacy was ignited by a family tragedy the loss of his 5-yearold brother, Marcus which fueled a lifelong crusade against gun violence and systemic inequity. From leading the Delaware County Black Caucus’s pursuit of justice for Fanta Bility to chairing the Southwest CDC Board, he has proven that true leadership is measured by lives changed and communities restored.
A scholar of governance and strategic action, Malcolm is an alumnus of Norfolk State University, holds a Master’s in Strategic Leadership from Neumann University, and a Master of Public Administration from Widener University. He is a proud fellow of the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government and an active member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Ultimately, Malcolm J. Yates is more than a political strategist; he is a builder of institutions and a mentor to the next generation of leaders. In a time that demands both uncompromising principles and tangible progress, he stands as a force for transformative change a leader ready to shape the future of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
