Ellen Giordano is senior director of US government partnerships, responsible for the development of program partnerships with WWF worldwide. A member of WWF’s policy and government affairs team since 2018, Ellen has over 25 years of experience developing strategic partnerships, designing and managing large-scale US government and privately funded programs. Her technical background is in participatory community development in agriculture, livelihoods, health and education.
Prior to joining WWF, she served as vice president for new business development at ANERA, a Middle East focused relief and development organization where she worked with in-country staff to design projects, develop partnerships and secure public, multilateral, and private funding to support the organization’s mission. As vice president, she was a core part of the management team, supporting ongoing and emergency response operations. From 2006 to 2012, Ellen managed new business development operations in various roles at Creative Associates International, a multi-sector development contractor working on conflict-affected countries. Her background includes field experience as a country director for Save the Children and program manager overseeing emergency humanitarian assistance, participatory community development, health and livelihoods programs the southern Caucasus region as well as US-based work related to community land trusts and affordable housing. Ellen’s educational background is in international relations, economics and Russian Area studies.
