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Ellen Schupper
Executive Director
Ellen Friebert Schupper is the Executive Director of ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis, a role she has held since May 2017.1 She is a strategic engagement and communications leader with diverse experiences in public, private, and non-profit organizations, particularly in health care, government, and higher education.1
As Executive Director of ABCD, Schupper has led significant growth and development for the organization:
- Developed and executed a national growth and marketing strategy, nearly tripling the number of people served since 2017.1
- Redefined ABCD's fundraising strategy, growing the annual budget from $670K to $1.2M.1
- Led ABCD through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while managing a 75% increase in demand for services.1
Prior to joining ABCD, Schupper held various leadership positions, including:
- Vice President of Account Services at BVK (2014-2017)1
- Director of Marketing and Community Relations at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Peck School of the Arts (2009-2014)1
- Vice President/Account Supervisor in Women's Healthcare at Ketchum (2006-2009)1
Schupper has a B.A. in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis and an MBA in Marketing from Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management.1
She is passionate about women's health and social justice, and describes herself as an authentic leader, creative problem solver, and huge Milwaukee fan.1
Highlights
Loved having the opportunity to join Charlie DeSando on his YouTube show and podcast Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders to share my professional and personal experiences, and most of all, my passion for ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis. So fun to also share a favorite recipe and have Gabriel join us near the end as a guest taste tester too! Check it out and let me know if you try the recipe. :)
I just had an absolute amazing afternoon catching up with the one and only Judy Lichtman, the first paid staff person at the Women’s Legal Defense Fund, founded in 1974 and renamed in 1997 to the National Partnership for Women & Families. Judy’s leadership and vision as an attorney and advocate have positioned the National Partnership to be at the forefront of every major piece of civil rights legislation related to women and families for 50 years.
And I was lucky enough to work with her in my very first job right after college as a Communications Assistant. In fact, in this picture, we are holding a fax with the job description for that position sent to me on June 17, 1996 by none other than Lauren Asher - my first boss and professional mentor.
Judy was a very busy non-profit President who made time to know everyone on her team, including very young and green me. Being summoned to her office via email with the message “LT” or “let’s talk” was always an honor (and slightly intimidating too)! She led with such confidence, humor, and authenticity. As I told her today, she greatly influenced my career and my life, and I am forever grateful that Lauren chose me to join the then-WLDF team.
It was truly a full circle moment. We both loved reminiscing about other current and former staff including Jocelyn Frye, Debra Ness, Amy Einhorn, Ginna Van Schoick, Susannah Baruch, Anne Arnold Hagan, Alicia Alexion, MBA, CFRE, Joy McGrath, Donna Lenhoff, Lynne Phoenix, and other amazing women who have all made this world a better place for all people.
Oh and Judy also went to law school with my dad, 💜and I started the day meeting with her amazing daughter Julia Lichtman Kepniss to identify partnership opportunies between Brem Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer and ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis.
What a day.
