“I grew up in Baltimore… my parents still live in the house I grew up in. I was 28 and moving back to Baltimore wasn’t the goal but the economy had other ideas. But here we are…my kids are fourth-generation Park graduates.”

2. Right now, the role that fits best is also the simplest to describe.
After years of evolving professionally and personally, Ellen doesn’t overcomplicate it; this stage of life is about balance. Her current job as CFO of a multifamily real estate company allows her the flexibility to be at her sons’ sporting games, family dinners and the everyday moments that don’t wait.

“I still very much think of myself as a working mom… who’s also very involved in the community.”

4. She got involved to build community but stayed because of it.

What began as a search for local connection while consulting turned into something much deeper through The Associated’s Jewish Professional Women.

“Most of my professional network was international so I was looking for a way to connect locally. My biggest takeaway was seeing how many women from all segments of the Jewish community were doing amazing things.”

5. She gravitates toward roles where she can truly contribute.
Today, that means serving on The Associated’s HR Committee and being part of REIG, spaces where her professional expertise adds real value.

“On the HR committee, I feel like I can actually contribute, talking through challenges like law changes and rising healthcare costs. And I get a lot back by hearing what else is going on across The Associated network and what others are doing.”

6. Four missions to Israel.
Ellen’s connection to Israel has taken shape over time, across four meaningful experiences. In high school, she traveled with her family on The Associated’s Family Mission. In college, she spent a summer in Ashkelon, living with a host family and teaching English at a day camp. Shortly after getting married, she returned on The Associated’s Young Adult Mission. And more recently, she traveled with her mom on The Associated’s Women’s Mission to celebrate Israel’s 70th.

Each trip deepened her connection in a different way.

“My mom and I had never really taken a trip like that together… it was incredibly special to experience it just the two of us.”

“And then 14 months later, my parents took our whole family. Being able to share Israel with my kids and to be there with my parents, my brother and his kids, was also incredibly special.”

7. Family traditions, especially around the table, are non-negotiable.

The rituals she grew up with are the ones she continues today, creating continuity across generations.

“When I was growing up, we had dinner with my grandparents on many Friday nights.

We always lit the candles, said Kiddish and had challah. And it is something we still do at home. We’ve prioritized sitting down to dinner as a family. Phones are away. It might only be 15 minutes, but that time together matters.”

8. At home, her legacy might just be measured in batches.
Ask her sons what she’s known for at home and the answer comes quickly.

“Chocolate chip cookies… and to a lesser extent, granola. Years ago, my older son and I were diagnosed with celiac disease, so I just learned to make real recipes but gluten free. In fact, I just finished making 80 cookies to take to my older son’s mother/son fraternity event at the University of Delaware this weekend.”