Ellie Starr, CEO/Founder
About Ellie
In March of 2020 as our world exploded with COVID 19, Starrs Aligned, LLC was born. Most would not choose the start of a global pandemic to launch a new company on their own. So, I guess, I’m not most. I took my inherent optimistic point of view and 30+ years of experience in fundraising, leading, and aligning stars in the non-profit sector, and jumped. My goal was to set out on my own and do what I had been doing inside the five outstanding institutions I had worked in and scale it outside for as many missions as I could. I wanted to extend my passion of raising resources, making connections, forging collaborations, and building community to a wide range of organizations and institutions that all align with the concept of “tikkun olam”, commonly known as repairing the world, and my North Star.
I have worked with some of the most effective international funders creating and vetting complex gifts with Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and corporate funders like MathWorks and Vertex as a leader inside 5 of Boston’s most respected institutions such as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Chan School of Public Health and Museum of Science, Boston. I have also worked together with some of the nation’s most generous individual donors to help them shape their philanthropy for lasting impact. Having a trusted, knowledgeable, and objective partner ensures meaningful and joyful outcomes for funders and institutions alike.
I’m also smart enough to know what I don’t know, which has led me to become an Olympic questioner. While I know that my deep volunteer and staff involvement in a wide variety of large and small nonprofits provide a galaxy of experiences, I also do what I have always done, rely on my Starrs Aligned Constellation of trusted, smart people to provide advice, information, experience, skills, and wisdom while they challenge my thinking and brainstorm ideas and solutions with me.
If you are looking for a trusted, experienced, and fun partner to grow the impact of your mission, let’s connect.
“Ellie is a first-rate development executive. Her career running teams for institutions and their capital campaigns gives her a unique perspective. Donors give to people they like and trust. Ellie is one of those people.”
— Rick Burnes, Partner Emeritus, Charles River Ventures
“Ellie was instrumental in aligning our philanthropic passions with the needs of the organization. Her vision and ability to connect individuals helped us to form lifelong relationships that continue to inspire us today.”
— Susan Poduska, President, Poduska Family Foundations
“Ellie brings an amazing collection of experiences with organizations dedicated to making a difference. She’s a passionate listener who leads from in-front or behind-the-scenes, and genuinely cares about impact.”
— Mark Currie, President and CSO, Cyclerion Therapeutics
“Ellie has a way to connect which made us feel very special. Her ability to connect many dots amplifies her ability to promote causes she believes in. Ellie is an asset for any organization that is looking for resources to grow.”
— Jaishree & Desh Deshpande, Trustees. Deshpande Foundation
“UpMetrics is proud to partner with Starrs Aligned. As Ellie artfully aligns people, mission, and resources for meaningful impact, UpMetrics empowers foundations and organizations to analyze, interpret and learn from data to make informed decisions, measure the impact, and tell their story. Together with Ellie’s deep experience and knowledge of the philanthropic community, we will disrupt the status quo to insure relevant, lasting change.”
— Drew Payne, CEO, UpMetrics
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