Ellen Braun - Nonprofit COO
Leader to Learn From: April 2022
April 5, 2022
Ellen Braun (Denver, CO) serves as the chief operating officer of Denver Preschool Program (DPP), an organization that supports Denver families by offering tuition credits to increase access to high quality preschool.
Ellen first started her journey with DPP in 2010 as a business manager, and then served three more roles before becoming COO, including director of outreach, deputy director, and interim chief executive officer.
In 2021, Ellen became a Denver Business Journal C-Suite Award winner. Ellen is a remarkable leader, known for her focus, drive, intellectual capacity, and ability to navigate tough challenges while working intentionally with her team.
Outside of work, Ellen is a mom of two girls and enjoys being outside and appreciating all Colorado has to offer. In sharing about Ellen, Thirlby Company founder, Margie Thirlby, remarked: “I have always admired Ellen as an outstanding woman in business. When you meet Ellen, you’re immediately drawn to her strength, intelligence, and professionalism - you want to be more like her! But what stands out the most about her is her kindness, integrity, and commitment to excellence in everything she does. Ellen is a role model for women who want to live a happy and impactful life.
OUR INTERVIEW WITH ELLEN
What are the most challenging and rewarding parts about being a COO?
Being the chief operating officer of any organization means you are the backbone of the programing, financial stability, and strategic vision of the organization. The most rewarding part of being the COO is to support those around me to succeed. I also enjoy the ability to see both the forest and the trees. The most challenging part of being the COO is holding space for the bigger picture when so many small details can shape and change the overarching vision you are trying to achieve.
Tell us a bit more about the mission of your organization, Denver Preschool Program (DPP), and why it’s so important right now?
The Denver Preschool Program (DPP) is an incredibly important organization for children and families in Denver. We make quality preschool possible for all 4-year-olds through a dedicated sales tax approved by voters. Since 2007, we have provided nearly $150 million in tuition support to help more than 65,000 Denver children attend the preschool of their family’s choice, establishing each child’s foundation for lifelong learning and success.
Early childhood education sets a child up for lifelong success and learning. Even before the pandemic we knew early childhood education creates a positive impact for our next generation of leaders, but it also supports the workforce today. With so many of our workforce having families, who need to rely on sustainable, high-quality and affordable care for their children in order to hold a job.
You’ve been with your organization for over 10 years, first starting out as a business manager in 2010. During your time at DPP, you served four roles before becoming a COO. What has made you stay at your organization throughout the years, and what do you attribute to your success as a growing leader?
I am a rare bird who found my calling earlier in my career, and I’ve had the pleasure of working within an amazing organization making an impact each and every day. I think the main reason I have stayed is that we are always evolving and no week is the same as the last. I am driven by the three P’s: passion, purpose and people. The Denver Preschool Program has allowed me to continue to fuel all three P’s throughout my tenure and I look forward to growing each and every day.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned about leadership?
Failure is a part of growth. Don’t be afraid to take risks. If something doesn’t work out you will always learn from it and be better because of it. In tandem with that, you are only as good as those you surround yourself with.
How would you define your mission or purpose in life?
Make an impact that will outlive you. Simple as that.
What is your greatest superpower as a leader?
I think the greatest superpower to have as a leader is to create a support system of smart and driven people. I am so proud to work with a cadre of leaders in my professional network.
What is something that might surprise people about you?
I have terrible handwriting - like really illegible. Thank goodness for the virtual world and where picking up a pen is pretty rare!
What is a challenge you’ve overcome as a professional that helped shape you into the leader you are today, and why?
Since the Denver Preschool Program is a sales tax funded organization, the pandemic brought uncertainty to the economy and our funding stream. It became clear to us that we would need to adjust our budgets in preparation for a reduction in revenue. Our team leapt into action and identified areas in our budget we could reduce while ensuring both our preschool providers and the families we serve remained at the forefront of our work. We were able to reduce our overall spending by nearly 20 percent, and re-allocate millions of dollars directly to preschools and families.
Overcoming the challenges of the pandemic have solidified that through resiliency and drive you can adjust your path to best serve those around you. Change is inevitable but you can have an impact to make that change be meaningful.
What advice would you have for someone who is struggling or feeling stuck right now in their life or career?
Know that you are not alone. Even the leaders and change makers we aspire to be have moments of doubt and self-reflection. Stay true to yourself and what you believe in, and your path will reappear.
Why is it important to you to give back to your community?
As a full-time mom and a full-time COO at DPP, I do not have a considerable amount of free time. However, I was raised with a strong sense of community, and I try to prioritize giving back where I can make a meaningful impact. I feel strongly about supporting organizations focused on homelessness, food insecurity, and education.
And as the mother of a 4 1/2-year-old and 1-year-old daughters, much of my community engagement work is currently related to my own children. I believe it is important to set an example for my girls that you must support those around you and give your time and expertise to programs that you feel passionate about. When you life those up around you, everyone wins.
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I always have to remind myself that we can't get everything right 100% of the time. No matter the path your choices take you, there is always an opportunity to learn from the experience and be better because of it. Enjoy the journey, laugh it off and be proud of what you accomplished... even if it's not exactly what you thought it would be.
About Ellen Braun
Ellen Braun joined the Denver Preschool Program in 2010. In her tenure, she has worn a variety of hats, from managing the preschool provider community to special events, bookkeeping, project innovation, operations, community outreach, and communications. Through her dedication and deep commitment to DPP she has championed the evolution of the organizations communications strategy, was a key visionary to launch a new tuition credit scale, continuously manages a $23 million annual budget, led the transition to build the latest DPP staffing team and so much more.
As the Chief Operating Officer, Ellen is responsible for the overall management of the Denver Preschool Program under the guidance of the Board of Directors. Key duties include operational and fiscal management, communications oversight, quality program development, executive staffing transitions and upholding the direction and leadership of the organization's philosophy, mission, strategy, and annual goals and objectives.
Ellen holds a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Colorado. Due to her work with the DPP, Ellen has received the Segal Education Award from AmeriCorps. She is also a 2014 graduate of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation’s Impact Denver, a 2019 Civic DNA Fellow and a 2021 Denver Business Journal C-Suite Award winner.
Ellen is originally from Minnesota but is proud to call Colorado home. She lives in Observatory Park where she relentlessly attempts to keep up with a preschooler, toddler and a wild Australian Labradoodle. She enjoys spending time with friends and being outdoors in the beautiful Colorado landscape.
