Does this sound familiar?
Your nonprofit organization is experiencing a significant disruption — your executive director has left. Maybe it was planned; maybe not. Your board is not agreed on what skills you’ll need in your next executive director. While you search for that person, you need leadership, and stability.
You need: time to define the position and find the right person.
I can: manage your staff and organization through a time of change and uncertainty, maintaining focus on key priorities.
You need: to position your new hire for success.
I can: prepare the organization for the next executive director.
You need: to keep the lights on and meet payroll.
I can: implement an existing fundraising plan or create one if necessary.
You need: to maintain relationships with funders, clients and supporters; to prepare a budget and work plan for the next fiscal year; gather insight and feedback on what’s working well and what’s not at your organization; keep your staff motivated and working together to advance your mission.
I can: do all of that.
Not sure whether you need an interim executive director?
Read this comprehensive report published by The Annie E. Casey Foundation about the importance of the role.
Work with me
What you’ll get when you hire me.
LEADERSHIP
Keep staff focused on fulfilling your organization’s mission
Build relationships with key stakeholders
Elevate internal and external communications
ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT
Provide guidance on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts
Supervise benefits program, including health insurance and 401K plan
Oversee technology staff and decision making
FUNDRAISING
Execute existing plan or create a new one
Maintain relationships with donors
Write grant proposals and reports
BOARD PARTNERSHIP
Provide frequent, transparent and engaging communication
With board chair, plan board meetings and prepare reports
Ensure good nonprofit governance
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Maintain timely and accurate reporting schedule
Create and manage budgets
Institute financial processes and controls, if necessary
STAFF RESOURCE
Senior team coaching and mentoring
Recruiting and onboarding
Performance management
Not sure if you need all of this at once? We can work together on any of the above, a la carte.
About Me
SKILLS + EXPERIENCE = EXCELLENCE
I grew up in New York, and have always been passionate about this city, and the people who make it work. I am interested in pretty much everything, but can focus on specific subjects and problems very easily. I learn something new every day and I learn from everyone I interact with.
I am a non-profit executive who supports organizations going through leadership transitions. I most recently served as Deputy Director of Transportation Alternatives, which advocates for better streets for walking, biking and public transit in New York City. From November 2018-August 2019 I served as co-interim executive director of Transportation Alternatives. During that time, the organization exceeded its programmatic goals, and comfortably met its financial ones, with minimal staff turnover.
I excel at strategic planning, which I see as the most important work a non-profit board and staff can do together, connecting the mission to the daily work of an organization. Through strong strategic planning organizations can be sure they are focusing on the most important work, setting and meeting key deliverables, and creating and following sustainable budgets.
I have worked in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors, as well as government. In my previous roles at OpenPlans, Honeybee Robotics, BusyInternet, CitySearch and the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment I developed expertise that includes strategic planning, finance, human resources, technology, general operations, board activities, non-profit governance, advocacy, and volunteer and community engagement.
I graduated from Bayside High School in Queens, from Amherst College with a BA degree in English, and from King’s College London with an MA degree in Text & Performance Studies.
TESTIMONIALS
Paul Steely White
Former Executive Director
Transportation Alternatives
I’m grateful for the support and leadership Ellen provided to me and Transportation Alternatives for so many years, through so many of our most public victories. Ellen was rarely in front of the cameras and microphones, but she was the force behind everything who kept the organization humming, as chief of staff, controller, COO, administrator, consigliere, and more. And she did it all with professionalism, kindness, and data/tech savvy.
Christa Orth
Vice President
Wingo NYC Fundraising Studios
Ellen is a joy to work with in every way. She is a highly talented leader who also cares deeply for her community. As a partner and colleague, Ellen is the even keel that rights the ship in a time of transition. She will come in, assess the situation, create smart strategies for your needs, and implement action plans seamlessly. If you have a complex financial, operational, or staffing problem, she’ll solve it with grace. Ellen is a true partner with the experience and the smarts to take your organization to the next level.
Amy Cohen
Co-founder
Families for Safe Streets
Ellen is amazing. A supportive and strategic leader with vision and compassion. She helped spearhead the expansion of Families for Safe Streets — supporting a group of grieving family members from across the country at the worst time in our lives and helping us coalesce into an effective, focused, strategic advocacy force. She can step into any situation, figure out what’s needed, put together a plan, and help oversee its implementation.
Sarah Durham
CEO
Big Duck
The nonprofit sector is full of people with big ideas but not a lot of bandwidth to get it done. Ellen is one of those people who can. She translates complex ideas and big visions into practical plans that motivate teams. Her real-world expertise is invaluable.