 |  Susan Amara, Ph.D.Detre Professor and Chair of Neurobiology Department, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Dr. Amara is the Detre Professor and Chair of the Neurobiology Department at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine. Her research efforts focus on neurotransmitter transporters, membrane proteins that regulate neurotransmitter clearance in the brain. She publishes frequently in scientific journals and holds several patents on neurotransmitter transporter genes and their potential applications.
B.S. in Biological Sciences, Stanford University
Ph.D. in Physiology and Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego
Other Boards/Organizations
Society for Neuroscience (President 2010 – 2011)
National Academy of Sciences, Member
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fellow
Dana Alliance on Brain research, Member
Ellis Connections
Parent of an alumna of the Class of 2009
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2007 |
 Doreen Boyce, Ph.D.Past President, Buhl Foundation Doreen E. Boyce is one of Pittsburgh’s most recognized leaders in the areas of women’s issues and non-profit governance. She is a graduate and Honorary Fellow of Somerville College, University of Oxford. A consultant to non-profit boards, Dr. Boyce led the Buhl Foundation as its president for 25 years. She founded the Executive Women’s Council and the International Women’s Forum. She has been recognized as a Heinz History Center History Maker, Distinguished Alumna of the University of Pittsburgh, and a University of Pittsburgh Laureate. She taught at the Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg and was Provost and an economics professor at Chatham College for 17 years.
B.A., M.A., Somerville College, University of Oxford
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Other Boards/Organizations:
Carnegie Institute, Board Member
Carnegie Science Center, Board Member
DQE, Board Member
Dollar Bank, Director
Duquesne Light Company, Board Member
Franklin and Marshall College, Past Board Chair
Three Rivers Board of the National Association of Corporate Directors, Board Member
Ellis Connection:
Parent of a student in the Ellis Class of 1975
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2010 |
 Susan BrownleeExecutive Director, The Fine Foundation Mrs. Brownlee has been Executive Director of The Fine Foundation since 2007. Prior to The Fine Foundation she was Executive Director of The Grable Foundation, Director of Policy at the Allegheny Policy Council, and Associate Director of Partnerships in Education. She began her career in Pittsburgh as a teacher at the Winchester-Thurston School and then served as a teacher and director of the Ellis Middle School.
M.B.A., University of Pittsburgh
M.A. in European History, New York University
B.A. in English, Wellesley College
Other Boards/Organizations
The Grable Foundation, Board Member
The Eben Demarest Trust, Secretary
A+ Schools, Executive Committee and Board
Institute of Politics, Advisory Board
The Forbes Funds, Advisory Board
Jewish Healthcare Foundation, Healthcare Advisory Board
International Women’s Forum, Member
Ellis Connections
Director of the Ellis Middle School, 1983 - 1989
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2009 |
 Margaret (Mathieson) ConverConsultant Grad Year: 1973 Ms. Conver is recently retired as the Business Manager at the Chestnut Hill Academy, a prominent K-12 independent school for boys in Philadelphia. As an alumna, parent and administrator, she is an extremely strong proponent of single-sex schools.
B.S. in Business Administration (Management and Accounting), Bucknell University
Certified Public Accountant, Retired
Other Boards/Organizations
New Hampshire Science & Nature Center, Chair – Special Project Committee, Advisor to Development Committee
Philadelphia Area Independent Schools Business Officers Association, Board Member
Bucknell Alumni Association
The Savoy Company, Advisory Board Member
Calvary Presbyterian Church, Trustee and Session
Academy Chorale, Member
Ellis Connections
Alumna, Class of 1973
National Board of Alumnae Visitors, 2007 - Present
Class Agent
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2009 |
 Judith Davenport, D.M.D.Dentist, retired Dr. Davenport practiced dentistry for two decades before her retirement in 2000. She was a consultant for United Concordia and a member of Highmark's Dental Review Committee. She is an active member of the community and is committed to improving the lives of others in health, education, and the arts. She is featured in the Mister Rogers first experience book, Going to the Dentist and is cofounder and director of Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation, the only African American owned and operated radio network in America. Sheridan's holdings include the American Urban Radio Network, with 400 affiliates across the country. Davenport has been the recipient of local and regional awards including Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania in 2001.
B.S., Pennsylvania State University
Master's of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
D.M.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
Other Boards/Organizations:
Andy Warhol Museum, Board Member
Howard Heinz Endowment, Trustee Emeritus
Forbes Hospital, Trustee Emeritus
Pittsburgh Public Theater, Trustee Emeritus
Ellis Connection:
Parent of alumnae in the classes of 1982 and 1985
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2011 |
 Linda EremitaInvestment Banker, M&T Bank Ms. Eremita is an investment banker & financial advisor to colleges and universities. She provides debt management advice to college & university clients, structures financings, and acts as the primary liaison between clients and rating agencies, investors, credit enhancement providers and other market participants. She is the managing director of the M&T Education Investment Banking & Financial Advisory Services, and is a former director at Standard and Poor’s where she rated colleges, universities, and independent schools across the country, and she was a Managing Director and the head of Educational Investment Banking at NatCity Investments. Ms. Eremita is the Chair of the Board’s Audit Committee.
B.A., Duquesne University
M.U.A., Boston University
Other Boards/Organizations
Messiah College, Trustee – member of Finance Committee
St. Francis University, Trustee – member of Finance and Nominating Committees
Dartmouth College, Parents’ Council Member
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2006 |
 Sylvia (Hill) FieldsExecutive Director, Eden Hall Foundation Sylvia Hill Fields has served as manager and later executive director of the Eden Hall Foundation since May 1996. A graduate of Seton Hill College and Carnegie Mellon University, she is the first and only African American woman to direct a major private foundation in the Pittsburgh region. Ms. Fields was named one of Pittsburgh’s 50 Most Influential African American Women by the New Pittsburgh Courier in 2006 and 2008. In 2009 Mrs. Fields was a YWCA Tribute to Women honoree.
B.A., Seton Hill College
M.P.M., Carnegie Mellon University
Other Boards/Organizations:
The Carnegie, Board Member
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Board Member
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Board Member
World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, Board Member
Ellis Connection:
Parent of a student in the Ellis class of 2010
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2010 |
 Elizabeth (Hammer) GenterPresident, Schenley Capital, Inc. Grad Year: 1977 Ms. Genter is the President of Schenley Capital, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisory firm with $80 Million under management. She has experience which ranges from investment management, insurance, estate planning, financial statement analysis, sales and retirement planning. Ms. Genter is the Chair of the Board’s Development Committee.
B.S., West Virginia Wesleyan College
M.S., University of Pittsburgh
Other Boards/Organizations
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Board Member
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, Executive and Investment Committee Member
Ellis Connections
Alumna, Class of 1977
Parent of 3 Ellis students, Classes of 2014, 2016, and 2018
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2008 |
 Barbara GranitoJournalist, The Wall Street Journal, retired Secretary
Ms. Granito worked as a journalist for The Wall Street Journal where she was a staff reporter and a news editor for the Money and Markets section. Prior to that she worked for a variety of organizations -- at Dow Jones & Co. as the AP-Dow Jones Bureau Chief in Rome, Italy; and for Institutional Investor Magazine as a contributing editor in both Paris, France, and New York City.
B.A., Dartmouth College, summa cum laude, Senior Fellow
Other Boards/Organizations
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Trustee
Institute for Ecological Innovation, Trustee
Carnegie Museum of Art Women’s Committee, Member
Pittsburgh Symphony Association, Past Board Member
ARCS Foundation – Pittsburgh Chapter, Past Board Member
Ellis Connections
Parent of a student in the Class of 2014
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2007 |
 Vivian LoftnessProfessor, School of Architecture at Carnegie Mellon University Ms. Loftness, a university professor in the School of Architecture at Carnegie Mellon University and former Head of School, is an internationally renowned researcher, author and educator with over thirty years of focus on environmental design and sustainability, climate and regionalism in architecture, as well as design for performance in the workplace of the future. She has served on seven National Academy of Science panels as well as being a member of the Academy's Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment, and given four Congressional testimonies on sustainable design. Her work has influenced both national policy and building projects, including the Adaptable Workplace Lab at the U.S. General Services Administration and the Laboratory for Cognition at Electricity de France. She received the 2002 National Educator Honor Award from the American Institute of Architecture Students and a 2003 Sacred Tree Award from the US Green Building Council. She is the chair of the Board’s Facilities Committee.
B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.Arch., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Registered Architect
Other Boards/Organizations
Fellow of the American Institute of Architects
US Green Building Council, Board Member
Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee, Board Member
AIA Communities by Design, Board Member
Turner Sustainability, Board Member
World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Quality Assurance Board Member
State of PA Climate Change Advisory Committee, Governor appointment
Ellis Connections
Parent of two Ellis alumnae, Classes of 2002 and 2008
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2009 |
 Catherine (Lewis) LongPresident, Sprout Fund Grad Year: 1987 Ms. Long serves as founding executive director for the Sprout Fund, a nonprofit organization that supports innovative ideas and grassroots community projects that are catalyzing change in Pittsburgh. The Sprout Fund works to positively affect the civic and philanthropic community by providing an entry point for young, creative, and civically engaged people to become involved and active in their communities and supporting projects and activities that improve the image of the greater Pittsburgh region. With strong working relationships to many community organizations and regional stakeholders, Sprout is one of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s leading agencies on issues related to civic engagement, talent attraction and retention, catalytic small-scale funding, and public art. Since 2001, Sprout has invested more than 3.5 million dollars through innovative grantmaking programs and helped create 50 public art murals in diverse neighborhoods through a collaborative artist and community process. As a testament to its impact on the region, The Sprout Fund was named one of the “Top 50 Influences on the Arts” of the last decade by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
B.A. in Professional Writing and Literary Cultural Studies, Carnegie Mellon University
Other Boards/Organizations
Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the International Women’s Forum, Member
Programming Advisory Committee to The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Member
Artist and Cities, Former Board Member
Beginning with Books, Former Board Member
Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, Former Board Member
Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors Bureau, Former Board Member
Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, Former Board Member
Pittsburgh’s Emergency Medicine Foundation, Former Board Member
Working Order, Former Board Member
Ellis Connections
Alumna, Class of 1987
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2005 |
 Blythe (Jones) LyonsNonresident Senior Fellow Grad Year: 1973 Blythe JONES Lyons ’73 is a senior consultant with Energy Resources International, Inc., an energy-consulting firm established in Washington, DC. Ms. Lyons has provided nuclear fuel cycle, nonproliferation, fossil fuel technology, and electricity policy consulting services to utilities, industry, nonprofit and academic institutions, and various national as well as state governments since the late 1970s. She co-authored with Senator Pete Domenici, A Brighter Tomorrow: Fulfilling the Promise of Nuclear Energy. In addition, Ms. Lyons co-wrote the book, Choosing the Right School for Your Child: A Guide to Selected Elementary Schools in the Washington Area, to help other parents with the difficult choice of finding the proper school for their young children. A dedicated Ellis alumna, Ms. Lyons has been one of the leading participants in Ellis’ National Board of Alumnae Visitors.
B.S.F.S., Georgetown University
Ellis Connection:
Ellis Alumna, Class of 1973, Member of Ellis’ National Board of Alumnae Visitors
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2010 |
 Roheela MalikBusiness, Education and Charitable Management Roheela Malik brings over 15 years of management experience in business, charitable, and educational organizations in Europe and the United States. Her recent work focuses on the educational and not-for-profit sectors, with senior executive volunteer roles at various schools, including Ellis. Malik is the parent chair of the Ellis Annual Fund and former president of the Ellis Parents Association. . She was Community Day chairwoman for the Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s 20th Anniversary celebrations last year, and an English-as-a-second language tutor at Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council.
M.S., Southampton University
B.S., Surrey University
Other Boards/Organizations:
Professional Women’s Leadership Team
Ellis Connection:
Parent of an Ellis alumna from the class of 2011, and of Ellis students in the class of 2012 and the class of 2015
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2011 |
 Ellen McLeanChief Financial Officer, Port Authority of Allegheny County Treasurer
Ms. McLean is the chief financial officer, Port Authority of Allegheny County. She served as chief financial officer for the City of Pittsburgh from 1999 to 2005. During her tenure the City fought and won an historic change in its tax structure as well as the implementation of a comprehensive five-year financial recovery plan. Subsequently, at the request of the Heinz Endowments, she conducted a strategic review of the Pittsburgh Public School District's financial position in the fall of 2005, and during the period February 2006 through March 2007 served as managing director for Infrastructure Initiatives at the Urban Land Institute in Washington, DC. Ms. McLean is Treasurer and Chair of the Board’s Finance Committee.
M.A./B.A. in English, Duquesne University
M.P.M. in Financial Management, Carnegie Mellon University
Other Boards/Organizations
Pittsburgh Marathon, Finance Committee Member
The House of the Crossroads, Past Board Member
The McGowen Center for Artificial Organ Development, Past Board Member
Artists and Cities, Past Board Member
Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery, Past Board Member
Ellis Connections
Parent of an Ellis alumna, Class of 2007
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2005 |
 M. Robert MistickOwner and President, Mistick Construction Company M. Robert (Bob) Mistick, a graduate of Dickinson College, is owner and president of Mistick Construction Company, a general contracting firm specializing in residential construction and historic renovations. His company provides preconstruction and construction services to senior living associations, universities, housing authorities, and developers.
B.A., Dickinson College
Ellis Connection
Parent of a student in the Ellis Class of 2009, and two in the Ellis Class of 2013
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2010 |
 James MitnickPresident and CEO, Ironwood Learning LLC Mitnick has been president and CEO, Ironwood Learning LLC since 2007. Prior to Ironwood Learning he spent 37 years with Turner Construction Company and was responsible for the development of the Turner Knowledge Network (TKN), an online learning platform that included Turner University and delivered nearly a million hours of learning on an annual basis. Mitnick is also president of the AEC CommuniteStore, which builds and hosts branded stores for companies in the architectural, engineering, and construction industries, and is president of Ironwood Development, which focuses on the digital distribution of electronic drawings for facilities managers, architects, engineers, and contractors. Mitnick received several awards from Chief Learning Officer magazine for innovation and integration of technologies. Ironwood was also was recognized by Training magazine as one of the top training organizations in the United States in 2005.
B.S.C.E., Purdue University
Other Boards/Organizations:
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, Board Member
Cooper-Siegel Library, Board Member
Hillel Jewish Community Center, Board Member
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2011
|
 Courtney (Cosgrove) MuseFounding Partner, Cosgrove Pattison York, Inc., retired Ms. Muse began her advertising career in her native Ohio. There, she became a founding partner of Cincinnati advertising agency Cosgrove Pattison York Inc. before moving to Pittsburgh. She has worked with companies including H. J. Heinz, Kendall Futuro, and Chiquita, and now devotes her time to community projects and family.
B.A. in History, Student Government President, Wheeling Jesuit University
Ellis Connections
Parent of students in the Classes of 2013, 2014, and 2016
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2009 |
 Timothy ParksDirector of Business Development and Marketing, Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP President
Mr. Parks is Director of Business Development and Marketing for the global law firm Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP. Mr. Parks is responsible for expanding the firm's corporate transactional practice. In the past, Mr. Parks served as the President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance (PRA), president of the Pittsburgh Technology Council and the Pennsylvania Technology Council, an industry coalition that advocated for entrepreneurial, innovative, and growth driven agenda for Pennsylvania. He also served in an advisory role in the creation and refinement of more than a dozen regional and state technology associations, including the Eastern Technology Council, the Northern Virginia Technology Council, and the New Orleans Technology Council. Mr. Parks is the President of the Board of Trustees.
B.A. in History, Duke University
M.P.A., University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Other Boards/Organizations
Highmark, Inc., Keystone Health Plan West, Board Member
Ellis Connections
Parent of a student in the Class of 2014
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2004 |
 Margot (Copeland) PyleTrustee, Dedham Institution for Savings, retired Grad Year: 1952 A retired investment executive, Margot C. Pyle ’52 served as a trustee of The Dedham Institution for Savings and Family Service, Dedham, MA and has been active in the town of Dedham politics, serving on a number of committees. She has also developed an expertise in independent schools through her role as trustee of Trinity Pawling School in New York. Her commitment to all-girls education is emphasized by her graduation from and ongoing service to Smith College.
Other Boards/Organizations
The Dedham Institution for savings and Family Service, Past Board Member
Trinity Pawling School, Board Member
Ellis Connection
Ellis Alumna, Class of 1952, Member of Ellis’ National Board of Alumnae Visitors
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2010 |
 William Scherlis, Ph.D.Professor and Director, Institute for Software Research Vice-President
Dr. Scherlis is director of Carnegie Mellon's Institute for Software Research and a Professor in the School of Computer Science at CMU. He is founding director of CMU's Ph.D. Program in Software Engineering. His research focuses on software engineering and cybersecurity. He conceived and co-led the High Dependability Computing Project, in which CMU led five universities to help NASA address long-term software dependability challenges. Dr. Scherlis is active in technology policy issues related to information technology innovation and leadership. He has testified before Congress and he has led National Research Council studies on e-government and on software challenges faced by the Department of Defense.
A.B., Harvard University
Ph.D., Stanford University
John Knox Fellow, Univerity of Edinburgh, Scotland
Other Boards/Organizations
Two privately held CMU spin-off corporations
Ellis Connections
Parent of two Ellis students, Classes of 2013 and 2017
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2005 |
 Colleen (Daily) SimondsPresident, Colleen Simonds Design Grad Year: 1995 Colleen Simonds led a career in the fashion industry that grew quickly from 1999 to 2010, when she left full-time work to pursue graduate studies. Her management work culminated in her role as divisional merchandise manager for J. Crew, a job which meshed her creative and mathematical skills. A member of The Ellis School’s National Board of Alumnae Visitors since 2009, Simonds lives in New York City, where she is currently enrolled in an interior design program at the Parsons School of Design. Simonds is the 1995 recipient of Ellis’ prestigious Oliver Cup.
B.A., Duke University
Ellis Connection:
Ellis alumna, class of 1995
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2011 |
 David SufrinOwner and President, Sufrin Supplies, retired Mr. Sufrin was the owner and President of Sufrin Supplies, a supplier of office supplies, computer supplies and office furniture to commercial, professional, educational and governmental entities, until its sale to Eaton Office Supply in 2005. Among other things he is now working with various local non-profit organizations.
B.S. in Business Administration, Washington University in St. Louis
Other Boards/Organizations
Persad Center, Board President
Agency for Jewish Learning, Board Treasurer
United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh, Trustee
Holocaust Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Board President
Ellis Connections
Parent of a student in the Class of 2010
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2008 |
 Hilary TysonPittsburgh Cultural Trust, Ballet Theater, and Dance Council Board Member President emeritus of the Ellis Board of Trustees, Ms. Tyson has worked in the City of Pittsburgh's Department of City Planning. She spent time with Eisaman Johns and Laws Advertising Inc. in Los Angeles and then served as Vice-President and Director of Production at the Toyota Center, formerly The Summit, in Houston. Her work has encompassed both not-for-profit and for-profit organizations.
B.A. in Broadcasting and Film, Boston University
Other Boards/Organizations:
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Board Member
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Board Member
Pittsburgh Dance Council, Advisory Board Member
Jewish Women’s Foundation of Greater Pittsburgh, Co-chair and Founding Member
United Jewish Federation Foundation
Ellis Connections
Parent of two Ellis alumnae, Classes of 2005 and 2009
Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2002 |
 Andrew Watson, M.D.Vice President for International and Commercial Services Division, UPMC Dr. Watson, M.D., M.Litt, F.A.C.S., specializes in colorectal and inflammatory bowel disease surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He spent two years working with the American Board of Surgery and the Department of Surgery at UPMC developing a national curriculum for surgical education. Watson focuses on corporate healthcare at UPMC. He is a vice president of the International and Commercial Service Division and is part of IT management for UPMC. He plays a central role in developing telemedicine for UPMC and has worked for the Insurance Services Division in this capacity. He is the medical director of the Center for Connected Medicine, an executive briefing center in Pittsburgh that showcases the future of healthcare, thought leadership, and HIT strategies.
M.A., University of Oxford
M.D., Columbia University
Surgical Fellow at UPMC
Ellis Connection:
Parent of a student in the Ellis class of 2022 |
| | The Board of Trustees at The Ellis School represents a broad spectrum of expertise from leaders throughout our community and beyond. With a depth and breadth of experience in the worlds of education, women’s issues, business, and non-profit governance, the Board is dedicated to fortifying and cultivating the mission of the School.
OFFICERS
Timothy Parks, President
William Scherlis, Vice-President
Ellen McLean, Treasurer
Barbara Granito, Secretary |
| |