Ellen O'Connell Email & Phone Number

New York, NY, US

Sankhara’s mission is to help organizations navigate complex challenges, build sustainable operations, and achieve long-term success.We focus on financial turnarounds, innovative fundraising campaigns, strategic planning, and program development to enhance global impact. Ellen’s leadership in transformative initiatives spans across wildlife conservation.

Watkins Glen, NY, US

Appointed as Interim CEO to address a $4 million budget crisis and leadership void at the USA’s oldest farm animal sanctuary. Extended tenure by board request to lead strategic transformation focusing on financial stabilization, operational efficiency, and brand development.Turnaround Leadership: Achieved financial stability within 18 months, eliminating a.

NGAREN: THE MUSEUM OF HUMANKIND – President & CEO, February 2018 – March 2022Recruited by renowned paleontologist Richard Leakey to establish and lead the Ngaren project, bringing the story of human evolution and climate change to life through innovative storytelling and museum design.Secured $10 million in seed funding and a 200-acre land donation for the.

Gillingham, Dorset, GB

www.tusk.orgSought out by the board of Prince William’s conservation charity, which raises funds and sub-grants to 80 partners in 20 countries across Africa on conservation/anti-poaching projects, I orchestrated a 3-year fiscal turnaround plan, re-launching the charity’s U.S. organization, and spearheading a rebranding initiative to attract new donors. I.

New York, NY, US

www.rescue.orgPromoted to positions of increasing responsibility and leadership scope from Director Board Relations (1999 – 2001) and Director Board Relations & Administration (2001 – 2002), I always stepped up to the plate, cumulating my tenure as Vice President of Board Relations, Administration and Operations and serving on the leadership team that grew.

New York, NY, US

• I started out in direct marketing at Covenant House Corporate offices to help raise $50M/year for the fundraising department; joined an emergency task force team to shore up fundraising for 22 U.S. shelters after bad.
• Led Finance, Legal, Development, Health, Research, Advocacy, Education, Vocational Training, Staff Training, and Public Relations Departments. Supervised staff of 400 employees.
• Led strategic planning, external stakeholder relationships, innovation, and partnerships.
• Designed and implemented city-wide programs for at-risk youth including community-based storefronts; education and vocation training centers; mental health and substance abuse programs; street outreach programs for HIV.
• Developed and partnerships with over 300 companies for job training and employment for at-risk youth with guaranteed employment opportunities, paid internships, and mentoring.
• Conceptualized, designed, and built pioneering and profit making Greenwich Village Gourmet Restaurant, “Ezekiel’s”, an earned-income venture providing culinary arts training and paid employment for Covenant House youth.

New York, US

• National Urban League | NY, NYResearcher June 1988 to July 1989
• Researched, designed and implemented a one year pilot program for innovative gender and culturally neutral math and science curriculum development in NYC and Philadelphia public schools funded through a National.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), English Language And Literature, General

Mpa, International Relations

Ma, Cultural Anthropology

Certificate, Food And Sustainability, Food Systems

Executive Management Program, Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management

Anthropology

High School