Resilience Innovation Labs is a start-up company fostering equity through combining data,technology, public health theory, and systems modeling to guide place-based investments forsocial returns and foster equity.

Assistant Professor in Global Health with courtesy appointment in Prevention and Community Health at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University

Leading national collaborative and networks that are implementing the Building Community Resilience (BCR) process and the Community Resilience framework in nine regions across the U.S. BCR is a strategic approach to link health care, public health and multiple public agencies in collaboration with community partners to address long-term chronic and place-based adversities. In October, Dr. Ellis introduced the Community Resilience (CR) framework for local health departments to assess community resilience and convene multiple sectors at the local, state and federal level to manage and deliver resources that contribute to a community's health and wellbeing. The CR Framework is being launched in health departments across the country with funding from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). BCR is based on Dr. Ellis' research and provides technical assistance, tools and resources to establish partnerships between clinicians, public health and community organizations to address the 'Pair of ACEs' adverse childhood experiences in the context of adverse community environments (such as lack of affordable housing, juvenile delinquency, under employment, low educational attainment, etc.). Dr. Ellis devises, implements and manages plans and tactics to advance BCR policy, practice and advocacy at the local, state and federal level. In this role, Ms Ellis leverages extensive expertise in child health policy, adverse childhood experiences and trauma, health disparities, health services research, prevention, community and population health. Dr. Ellis designed the Pair of ACEs tree to illustrate this point and has traveled across the country lecturing on this topic as well as leading workshops facilitating adoption of the BCR process, tools and resources.

Developed the Building Community Resilience process and forthcoming dynamic model for community resilience as part of her doctoral research in public health policy and community health strategies.

“The Ascend Fellowship is a premier leadership program at the Aspen Institute that exemplifies our commitment to advancing opportunity and equity. We are proud to welcome these extraordinary leaders who are moving ideas to action for children and families in the US.” - Dan Porterfield, President and CEO, Aspen Institute.Details at https://ascend.aspeninstitute.org/prestigious-aspen-institute-ascend-fellowship-announces-2018-class-of-leaders/

The Early Childhood Innovation Network (ECIN) is a collaboration between Children's National Medical Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital/Georgetown University School of Medicine to educate child health providers and policy makers about the impacts of poverty, trauma, and adverse childhood experiences in early childhood on long-term health and development. In her role as Policy Consultant, Ms Ellis will develop policy and practice solutions to eliminate or ameliorate the harmful effects of ACEs.Activities of the project include innovative and individualized educational activities and the development of resources and strategies for primary care providers to identify and reduce toxic stress, including screening recommendations and targeted educational materials.

Facilitate development and implementation of policy priorities in the areas of child health promotion, quality and health outcomes, population health strategies and tactics, and integrated, multi-sector systems of care and prevention. Moderate Senate briefings and lead policy discussions to educate Hill staffers and lawmakers on the science of adverse childhood experiences, toxic stress to help develop supportive policies to support children exposed to household and community trauma.

Developed CSR’s public health and health services research agenda. Duties included hypothesis generation and synthesis of complex ideas in public health research, project management and business development. Research areas included: patient-centered medical homes, access to care, reducing health disparities, child mental health, maternal health, social media marketing, health promotion and program evaluation. Business development activities include forging strategic partnerships with academic research centers, public and private foundations, and non-profit organizations to promote public health research and dissemination of best practices. Led the development and writing of healthcare research reports, policy briefs, proposals and presentations for CSR, stakeholders in the field, clients and professional publications. As a project manager, maintain day-to-day contact with client to strategize programmatic and policy performance indicators and review data analysis and evaluation requirements. Provide analytic direction and guidance to team of analysts embedded at U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Research interests include:+ Patient-centered medical homes+ Geographic inequities in access to health care.+ Reducing health disparities+ Healthcare policy research + Medicare/Medicaid systems of care

Investigating the factors associated with variations in access to and utilization of mental health services for Medicaid eligible children in Washington State. Initiated and implemented research project with the vision and goal of creating policy recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness of mental healthcare delivery within the state’s Regional Service Networks.+ Principal Investigator, drafted survey questions and performed interviews with all of the state’s 13 RSN Leads (Regional Service Network). + Reviewed and researched other states’ healthcare delivery systems across various Census designations (urban, rural, frontier) and how systems/programs affect and impact child health in those areas. + Created research methods with scalability and flexibility in mind so it can be used for assessment of any system of care throughout the country. Goal is to create a model for assessing healthcare delivery systems across various regional areas (e.g., county, states, coasts, nationwide, etc.).

Developed assessment and evaluation tools for a research project to test the effectiveness of the PlayBrightⓇ Early Learning System as applied to Play and Learn group settings. Efforts resulted in study design and protocol that is currently being utilized by the Children’s Home Society of Washington.+ Performed an extensive literature review on the current findings on early childhood development assessment tools. + Reviewed current models for early childhood education program evaluation. + Created survey tools for facilitators and parents using a three-prong survey approach. Drafted a protocol to justify the use of all survey tools.+ Initiated the research study and collection of preliminary data.

Supervised high risk youth and administered treatment protocols within a juvenile prison setting. Designed recreational and therapeutic activities related to treatment goals aimed at preparing youth for improved emotional capacity upon release. + Appointed as a key team member within a maximum-security mental health unit for volatile female youth with high psychiatric needs as well as the all male sex offender unit. Strong ability to manage verbal and non-verbal communication with this difficult population effectively.

Served in a leadership role and Board Member for Childhaven, a non-profit organization and treatment facility offering unique therapeutic daycare. Oversaw the development and implementation of a strategic 10-year improvement and enhancement plan. + Co-chaired and developed thorough process of creating a strategic plan including interviewing staff members, past and current board members, community supporters, clinicians, foundation representatives, etc. * Presented the strategic plan to key stakeholders to garner support.+ Interviewed, hired, and managed Consultants to aid in a large-scale fund raising project with a goal of $10M. Raised donations during economic downturn that resulted in construction of a new, upgraded facility. New strategic plan and fundraising allowed for the building of a new, upgraded facility.+ Directed and led the executive team of the Board of Directors including compensation review for the staff of the organization and recruitment of a new Executive Director.+ Successfully lobbied state legislators, county and city leaders regularly to ensure continued funding of programs in face of threatened state funding.+ Presented to groups and met regularly one-on-one with high profile donors on the positive effects of Childhaven.

Served as board member for four years and assumed President of Board role for two years. + See description under 'President' description above.

Founded and ran a business to identify and develop strategic relationships with community and charitable organizations. Leveraged organizational relationships for clients from a PR and communications perspective. + Negotiated deals and strategic partnerships and alliances with large companies / big brands.+ Built creative partnerships between businesses and non-profit organizations to increase resources / exposure for both.+ Wrote annual business / strategy plans to develop proactive tactics and achieve real world business goals.+ Wrote and presented proposals to large organizations such as the Seattle Seahawks NFL franchise.+ Wrote radio ads for clients to increase consumer exposure.+ Hired freelancers and developed a virtual team. Leveraged various strengths and assets of team members based upon client needs.+ Generated a variety of sales and marketing literature, web content, media contacts and editorial placement in national trade and consumer outlets.

KING TV: NEWS PRODUCER, 1994 – 1999WKRC TV (Cincinnati): PRODUCER & CREATOR, 1993 – 1994WSMV-TV: Producer, Creator, On-Air, 1992-1993KIRO TV: Writer, 1991 – 1992CNN: PRODUCER, 1988 – 1991WIZF FM: INTERN, 1987 – 1988WIZF FM / The Wiz: NEWS INTERN, 1986 - 1988Led a successful career in various Producer roles within radio, international TV, and local TV for 10+ years including careers at CNN and local NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates.+ Sent out as a Field Producer onsite at disaster locations to ensure successful coordination with the network. Determined topics, made decisions on reporters / talent, managed equipment and logistics, wrote stories, etc.+ Communicated effectively with the various media outlets and understood the nuances of communicating with various personalities. Mastered quick yet effective communication.+ Leveraged effective, meaningful, and lasting relationships with the media to aid in future career endeavors.+ Pitched story ideas and was persuasive with decision makers with competing interests.