An expert in community-building, facilitation and convening.

Convening through the lens of conflict resolution

I facilitate bridging programs that create space for people to connect, build mutual understanding, empathy and trust. I do this primarily through leveraging the power of food and storytelling but I also create custom community engagement programming and offer freelance facilitation services.

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My Services

Dinner and Dialogue

A bridging methodology that uses the power of eating together, storytelling and listening to build social bonds, empathy and community
Workplace Community-building

Team-building and trust-building programming that build morale, social connection and an inclusive culture of belonging
Custom Community Engagement

Custom interventions to help heal and rebuild social connection in your community after three years of COVID
Freelance Facilitation

I am an engaging, empathetic and versatile facilitator. I facilitate virtual trainings, in-person team-building, hybrid strategic planning sessions and beyond!

Hi! I am Ellen

I am a trauma-informed facilitator with over fifteen years experience in community-building and conflict resolution. I have worked in several communities both domestically and internationally, but I started my career working for a peacebuilding organization in Belfast, Northern Ireland. After two and a half years abroad, I went on to get my Master’s Degree in Coexistence and Conflict from Brandeis University. And it was at a Thanksgiving potluck with my fellow students from around the world, where I was first struck by how food created a unique opportunity for connection.

Years later, I started Dinner & Dialogue out of my apartment in Brooklyn, NY in response to the growing disconnection due to the 2016 election. Using themes to connect food, life and society, I created a bridging methodology to bring people together, learn from new perspectives and have meaningful conversations. With Community In Context, I have been expanding on the original model and facilitating programs in workplace communities. In addition, I create custom programming in an effort to contribute to the rebuilding of social connection and the healing of our communities after COVID.

I am based in Albany, NY and predominantly facilitate in-person programming in the Capital Region and New York City. But I also offer virtual programming for organizations and communities elsewhere.

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Comments from some past participants:

“I strongly believe exercises like this should be mandatory just like every other training. It helps maintain the humanity and humility in our jobs”
“(I enjoyed) hearing everyone's stories. They were so unique - there's more that brings us together than separates us. As adults, we don't often have a safe space to share our feelings along with vulnerabilities.”
“It was a breath of fresh air. Some downtime to learn about each other not related to work. It was a great time to share camaraderie with my colleagues and learn something new.”
“I enjoyed learning more about my colleagues on a more personal level. Connection in this context is very important to me.”
“I personally enjoyed having a safe and vulnerable place at work to connect with my team.”