Ellen Havdala

For more than 35 years, Ellen has worked in a variety of capacities for Sam Zell’s affiliated companies. As a Managing Director, she serves on the boards of Ardent Health Services, a provider of hospital and healthcare services, and CraneWorks, a dealer of new and used truck-mounted and related mobile crane equipment. Additionally, Ellen sources and evaluates new investments. Ellen helped establish the Zell Global Entrepreneurship Network (ZGEN), an organization that provides continuing education and mentorship for students and alumni of three entrepreneurship education programs sponsored by the Zell Family Foundation. As part of her involvement, she also serves on the board of the Zell Lurie Institute at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

Ellen has served on the boards of Lanter Delivery Systems, an asset-light dedicated delivery service provider; SIRVA, Inc., a provider of moving and relocation services; Rewards Network, a dining rewards company; and WRS Holding Company, which specializes in environmental construction and remediation. She also held the roles of Executive Vice President at Equity International and Vice President of Scott Sports Group.

Previously, Ellen was a financial analyst with The First Boston Corporation in New York City. She graduated magna cum laude with a BA from Harvard College and earned her Master of Divinity degree from the University of Chicago in 2016.