Ellen Schwartz

Ellen leads AI Now’s operations, finance, and human resources functions, and supports the implementation of its organizational strategy. Prior to joining AI Now, Ellen spent the past five years in progressively responsible operations roles at Transparentem, a US-based non-profit that transforms industries by allying with workers and communities to uncover abuses in global supply chains and drive labor and environmental justice.

Most recently, in her role as Director of Operations at Transparentem, Ellen stewarded the implementation of major changes in organizational strategy, increasing both resilience and effectiveness. She also collaborated closely with the board and senior management to streamline financial reporting and model financial scenarios, translating technical information to enable strategic decision-making.

Ellen interned at the Track II Environmental Forum at the Arava Institute, where she helped facilitate logistics for Track II’s sustainable development projects in Palestine, Israel, and Jordan. Previously, she worked as a Property Manager at Housing Unlimited, a non-profit organization that provides permanent, affordable housing to adults in mental health recovery. As an undergraduate, she worked as a Research Assistant on numerous studies on the Fairtrade movement, third party certifications, and workers’ rights in agricultural supply chains.

She graduated magna cum laude from Lewis & Clark College with a B.A. in International Relations and a minor in Political Economy.