Director of Finance Management Team, Institute for Global Health Sciences

Here is what Ellyn's nominator had to say about her:

"Ellyn is the rock that holds the department's finances together. She is amazing at her job and in addition is a great listener, problem solver and advocate.  I have been working closely with Ellyn for 5 years and she has unofficially stepped up to be a mentor, providing not only technical insight but emotional support as well. Ellyn is a great partner and comes to work every day with an open mind, heart, and sense of humor. She willingly shares her knowledge and ideas. I am so fortunate and continuously thankful to be working with her."

Nominated by: Heidi Frank 

Ellyn's Bio: 

My career at UCSF began as an Admin Assistant at the UCSF Foundation Office assisting with cultivating gifts for research needs. Growing up in different cultures and countries, when Institute for Global Health Sciences (IGHS) had an opening my interest perked, especially reading about the exciting work IGHS was doing around the world. It has been 18 years since and there is no looking back.  I am now the Finance Director for IGHS and still working with the same supervisor, Georgina Lopez. Time flies when you’re having fun. This is the most important aspect of the work environment. One needs to be happy and excited about the work. The staff and faculty at IGHS create an environment where we want to help and provide support in every and any situation, be it one person, one country or one initiative. This is what kept me here at IGHS all these years. 

What’s a favorite movie or TV Show you’ve watched recently? 

Favorite channel is more inline for me. I LOVE PBS/KQED~! This was what saved my sanity during the COVID isolation. Nature, Cooking and Travel programs provided an outlet to adventure without leaving my couch and the safety of my home.  

What’s your ideal weather?    

Having grown up in the hot and humid tropics, I have a dislike for heat.  The electricity would go out randomly for days which meant no Air Conditioning. Bay Area has mother nature’s central cooling almost year-round which is why I love it here. My ideal temperature is anywhere from 50 degrees to 59 degrees. Anything over 60, I consider too hot. Love the snow, hate the rain. 

If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go?  

That’s tough. I love the beaches and the mountains. I guess since I am always saying “sitting on a beach in Hawaii”, I would go to the beach. 

What do you like to do outside of work? 

Watching movies, walks and playing with my dog, Sunny. Hanging out with family and friends.

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