Ellen is an elementary teacher, author, inspirational public speaker and advocate for research, awareness and screening for neurodegenerative diseases. As founder of Project Give Back she links her 30 years of teaching and her personal passion for charitable causes with the skills of fundraising, thus instilling a true love of giving. Ellen is helping children realize the power within themselves to change the world, and instilling empathy while igniting a new generation of community minded citizens.Ellen’s passion has been Jacob’s Ladder, the charity she co-founded to raise awareness for, and fund research into neurodegenerative diseases. Her eldest son Jacob with born with Canavan’s a rare, inherited, and currently incurable disease that causes progressive mental and physical disabilities. Jacob’s Ladder has raised over 3 million dollars towards research, awareness and education into neurodegenerative illnesses. Pre-natal screening is now available to Canadians. Jacob’s Ladder named a therapeutic pool at the JCC Lebovic Campus as a legacy to honour Jacob’s life. Ellen has published two books, ‘Lessons from Jacob: A Disabled Son Teaches His Mother About Courage, Hope and the Joy of Living Life to the Fullest’ and ‘Without one word Spoken’. The second book became a Globe and Mail Canadian Best Seller in 2017.