Ellen Dorsey

About Ellen Dorsey

For over 16 years, I led the Wallace Global Fund, a philanthropic organization that supports social movements for systemic change advancing corporate accountability, human rights, and gender, economic, racial and climate justice. I have a Ph.D. in Political Science and a passion for supporting, partnering with, and documenting people-powered movements that challenge the abuse of power and create justice-centered alternatives. As the Executive Director from 2008 to 2024, and now as a Senior Advisor, I developed and implemented an integrated approach that aligned the foundation\'s grant making, investments, and spending with our mission and values. During my tenure, we played a significant role in seeding and scaling the fossil fuel divestment movement and investing in community-driven, justice-centered climate solutions. I am now leading a divestment movement project, documenting its history and impact through activists telling their story of their organizing and continued advocacy for new climate strategies. I continue overseeing WGF\'s work on Just Transitions Africa, supporting groups fighting fossil fuel expansion, holding renewable energy projects accountable, and scaling community driven energy access. I am Co-Founder of Incite Lab, catalyzing action and mobilizing resources to support movement advocacy at the nexus of climate and democracy. I have also served on the board of many progressive change organizations, such as Greenpeace US, Amnesty International, Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Excessive Wealth Disorder Institute, and Seventh Generation Company.

Experience

1. Senior Advisor

   Wallace Global Fund

   Feb 2024 — Present

Education

• University of Pittsburgh

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Political Science

  1984 — 1991