Ellen's background on both the agency and client sides gives her a valuable perspective on a diversity of marketing, advertising, and strategic issues. Ellen began her career in advertising at Leo Burnett in Chicago. While at Burnett, she discovered brand opportunities that guided strategic and creative development for some of the agency's largest clients, including McDonald's and Toys "R" Us. Her expertise included kid, tween, and teen brands, and technology, as well as extensive experience in international research. As vice president-senior brand planner at Leo Burnett, she helped the agency on a successful streak of new business wins that uncovered new brand positionings for clients. Hungry to learn more about the world of emerging technologies and new markets, Ellen left advertising to oversee strategic marketing and research at Ignite!, a Web-based educational software publisher. While there, she helped launch the company and its product through an integrated marketing and sales campaign. Ellen received her bachelor's degree in economics and communication from Trinity University in San Antonio and her master's degree and M.B.A. from The University of Texas at Austin.