Elizabeth Ames Email & Phone Number

I conceived of Heal Ukraine Trauma (HUT) in 2022, inspired by the wholesale Russian invasion of Ukraine, and served as its founding CEO during its first two years' establishment and growth.The mission of Heal Ukraine Trauma (HUT) is to address conflict-related trauma in Ukraine by supporting evidence-based healing programs and legal, science-informed psychedelic-assisted therapy and medicines appropriate to Ukraine's needs. HUT is a U.S. based 501(C)(3) nonprofit. With deep, country-wide experience and broad networks in Ukraine, we focus on on-the-ground projects with meaningful social impact, potential to scale broadly, and innovation in the trauma-treatment world. We amplify this work by facilitating effective, transparent project partnerships; by providing targeted financial support; by providing access to international thought leaders; and through best-in-class financial and managerial program oversight and measurement of results.

UPRA (Ukrainian Psychedelic Research Association) is a Kyiv-based NGO focused on trauma mitigation in Ukraine. UPRA advocates for clinical trials, research and legalization of psychedelic- assisted therapy in Ukraine, with specific focus on veterans' mental health needs/PTSD. UPRA has over 500 active Ukrainian volunteer members, including broad networks of therapists, military veterans/psychologists, and community activists.

Led and helped scale this leading Kennedy School (HKS) regional alumni association.• Upgraded organization’s governance structure, marketing infrastructure, and digital presence.• Results included bi-weekly alumni outreach; increased levels of engagement of HKS’ 4500-strong New England alumni presence; more than 1500 alumni attending our highly curated in-person programming; a revamped annual strategic planning/goal setting process; and a reinvigorated development committee resulting in new sponsorships and increased donations.

Boston, Ma, Us

I managed Startup Institute's two flagship tech bootcamp style programs (8 week full-time and 12 week part-time courses) enabling people wanting professional change to develop the skills, mindset, and networks they need to find jobs and thrive in the innovation economy:• Successfully launched and helped design all aspects of SI's first ever Part-Time Program with a focus on four technical tracks (web development, web design, digital marketing, and business development).• Helped develop and taught curriculum covering tech skills; emotional intelligence/EQ skills critical to success in the tech environment; a sophisticated understanding of the Boston innovation ecosystem; and how to lead innovation initiatives within a corporate environment.• Nurtured corporate partner relationships; facilitated meaningful connections for students and alumni to a network of companies/successful entrepreneurs successful across Boston’s tech sector through hacks, subject-based tech deep dives, “fireside chat” speaker series, talent expos and other innovation community engagement events.• Mentored and counseled students in all aspects of their job campaigns, from weekly coaching and tactics to making strategic introductions within the tech community.

Consulting and board work across the social enterprise spectrum - entrepreneurship, governance, fundraising, mentoring, and medical research, including:•• Strategic consulting engagements to economic development and workforce development organizations, arts organizations, and the Mongolian component of a Dana Farber multi-year breast cancer research health project.•• Ongoing primary Donor Advisor to a Rhode Island Foundation cancer research support fund.•• Senior Director, Center for Women and Enterprise, the US's largest women's business center: chaired strategic planning committee, member of executive, marketing and finance committees. Contributed to full reimagining of CWE's web platform to help women entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses and connect with their peers, serve as a portal to access new online courses and learning, and engage all segments of CWE's longterm community of clients and supporters.•• Founding Director, Opera Boston: helped this arts organization relaunch, rebrand, and redevelop itself into the commissioning winner of the first music Pulitzer Prize awarded to an opera in 49 years.•• Led, coached, and mentored multiple venture capital sponsored entrepreneurship competitions for women, students, and young entrepreneurs, partnering with women's economic development organizations, MIT Sloan School of Management, Harvard Business School, Babson Olin Graduate School of Business, and the MIT Enterprise Forum. Coached social enterprise team winner of 2007 MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition.• •Investor/member of HBS Alumni Angels Association since its Boston/New England chapter founding.•• Committed volunteer to all US schools/universities attended since junior high school, including major gifts and endowment fundraising, student recruiting, and reunion and alumni boards.

Boston, Ma, Us

Ranking Administration official responsible for economic policy development and implementation state-wide. One of two Cabinet secretaries on the Governor's Senior Staff. $ 43 million annual budget with 100+ person staff and additional contractors. Originator of what became MA’s tax holiday.•• Successfully turned around and managed the Department of Economic Development and five agencies: Massachusetts Office of Business Development, Office of Travel and Tourism, Office for International Trade and Investment, State Office of Minority and Women's Business Assistance, and the Massachusetts Film Office.•• Led/co-led Massachusetts trade missions to Japan, Australia, and Northern Ireland.•• Conceived, developed, and led comprehensive year-long state economic benchmarking and strategic planning initiative (Towards a New Prosperity, 2002). Facilitated key participant working groups. Research/review process included broad stakeholder participation from grassroots to the Governor, reaching all sectors possible, and including all regions of the Commonwealth.•• Developed and oversaw overall communications strategy for Department of Economic Development and its agencies, including print, web development, and digital presence focused on citizen consumer education/access to services. •• Extensive personal public speaking and press interaction throughout the Commonwealth evangelizing the importance of education, innovation, access to early stage capital, and the state's culture of entrepreneurship.

All business planning for venture-backed Internet startup offering online branding solution.

US government funded venture capital firm and management company principal. Equity investment experience included fundraising; sourcing, screening and evaluating investment opportunities; management of investment team analysis/due diligence; and investment management. •• Managed $ 30 million portfolio (60% of fund's investments) in Russia and Ukraine.•• Board Director for five companies (primarily telecommunications and information technology).•• Oversaw company operations in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kyiv, Ukraine regional offices.•• Redesigned fund's organization to team structure capable of managing mostly early-stage portfolio and positioning the firm to raise additional investment capital. Road show presenter.• Recruited, trained, and developed investment officers and other key professionals.• Represented fund and its accomplishments to official US Congressional/Department of Defense delegations.• Led restructuring campaign to preserve the fund’s asset base after Russia’s 1998 market crash.

Gb

Operations head within team leading Ukraine's first privatizations of large, state-owned companies, the beginning of Ukraine's capital markets.•• Successfully recruited, developed and implemented flexible, effective countrywide Auction Center network.

Washington, District Of Columbia, Us

Designed, launched, and managed Peace Corps'​ first and most successful Volunteer program in the former Soviet Union. Countrywide economic development programming included banking, small business, local/regional government, and graduate business school development projects. Ukraine became Peace Corps' largest program worldwide.•• Created country needs assessment and designed national program from the ground up. Helped develop, manage, and lead Volunteer pre-service, in-service, and close-of-service training programs in addition to direct management of Peace Corps mid-career Volunteer force.•• Developed metrics system measuring Peace Corps' program success. Worked with officials ranging from mayors and ministers to a future President. One of the first 70 Americans to live in Ukraine.

Developed and implemented this company's first venture selling products in retail outlets.

Assistant Vice President, Buyer - Inspiration/Baker's. (1989-91) Hands-on developed, launched, and managed "Inspiration" product line of accessories in 150 Baker's Shoe stores from scratch. Special project assigned by corporation's president. • Conceived and implemented strategic planning, supervised all budgets and plans, and bought five product categories. $1.7 million at cost in annual inventory purchases.• Responsible for all pricing, promotion, and distribution strategies. Gross margin responsibility.• Managed in a matrix environment, including cross-functional relationships with internal computer information systems, warehouse, and distribution departments in addition to direct supervision of staff.Assistant Vice President, Merchandise Controller - Jeans West/Coda. (1987-89) Controlled all aspects of long-term corporate strategy, sales and profit planning, and inventory management for Jeans West, a $171 million, 430-store menswear apparel chain. • Full gross margin responsibility for the company, including 10 merchandise categories sourced from lesser developed countries. • •Chain achieved record sales and gross margins 1987-89.•• Key intrapreneur for Coda, a successful start-up menswear chain. Developed marketing and real estate strategies, a manpower strategy for quick growth, and overall business plan. Coda went from concept to 35 stores in six months.• •Named corporate officer in February 1989 (second youngest in company's history).Associate Buyer, Knits and Sweaters - 5-7-9 Shops. (1986-87) Assisted in buying and responsible for product development and value chain management for $ 11 million product category (95% Asian/LDC sourced).Controller - 5-7-9 Shops. (1985-86) Managed gross margin profitability and planning for five merchandise categories with annual sales of $ 22 million.

• Arranged overseas sales financings with Ex-Im Bank, FCIA, and commercial bank participations.

Trained in finance, credit analysis, and all aspects of commercial lending.

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Marketing And International Management

Master'S Degree, International Development, Public Administration, And Nonprofit Management

Bachelor'S Degree, American Studies

Certificate - Year-Long Intensive Russian Language Course (Top Marks)

Certificat De Langue Française (Degré Supérieur)

High School