I spend my days solving puzzles, grappling with big ideas, making connections, and trying to find the positive in just about everything. My professional journey has been dotted with research to expand access to immigration legal services, reentry planning with people involved in the justice system, and support to workforce social enterprises. I landed at NFF after studying social work and business, and at work weave both of these disciplines together daily, sometimes calling us a team of “financial therapists.” In my role, I partner with nonprofits to expand their impact and achieve their goals, in a way that balances both money and mission. Every day I listen, build, process, analyze, create, teach, research, number-crunch, coach, and design across places and sectors, from working to advance resilience of organizations in Newark to exploring how community-based organizations and healthcare can partner toward better outcomes.
When not in the office or traveling the streets of Cambridge, MA and/or the world, you can find me on a mountain, either hiking up one glowing with foliage or skiing down one blanketed in snow. I like to cook, but only without a recipe, and have a passion for all things cheesy, both food and jokes.
Bio: Elise (she/her/hers) builds partnerships with community-centered organizations nationally and designs, implements, and leads programs to drive a more impactful, equitable, and adaptable social sector. She works with nonprofit leaders to tackle complex financial challenges, and supports partnerships, cohorts, and collaboratives in operationalizing strategies and turning ideas into action. Prior to joining NFF, she worked on the research team at Vera Institute of Justice, conducting data analysis and evaluation for immigration and anti-human trafficking programs. She has also worked at Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners, The Robin Hood Foundation, and Federal Defenders of New York. Elise holds a Masters of Business Administration from Columbia Business School, a Masters of Social Work from Columbia School of Social Work, and a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, politics, and economics from the University of Pennsylvania, and is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).
LinkedIn