Harnessing lessons from Apple, Google, entrepreneurship, and research in neuroscience and anthropology, Ellen Leanse brings unique perspective to her work with rising companies and leaders. A digital pioneer (Ellen brought Apple online in 1985) and road-tested entrepreneur, Ellen has guided more than 40 technology companies spanning early stage to global leaders including Microsoft, Facebook, Samsung, Intuit, Oracle, and Women 2.0.

As Apple’s first User Evangelist, Ellen challenged the company to “think different” and establish the tech industry’s first sanctioned customer-company online connections – well before the rise of email. This work shifted the relationship between Apple and its users, helping to generate loyalty, business growth, and brand value. Her work since then has focused on bringing companies and customers closer together through digital and offline innovation, mapping unique frameworks that create value and mutual benefit.

Ellen has collaborated with entrepreneurs and policy makers in East Africa, India, Italy, Latin America, Asia, and in the U.S. on innovation and strategy. Her work has been referenced in the NYTimes, Inc. Magazine, and various online media centers and published in Forbes.com, Business Insider, and Cosmopolitan.com, to name a few. She has been named one of technology’s top five marketers and a Silicon Valley Woman of Influence.

Ellen writes and speaks on innovation, gender, and ethics and is a member of Stanford’s Continuing Education faculty, teaching “Enlightened Innovation” as part of the extended studies curriculum. She served for five years on the board of D-Rev, a social enterprise that elevates global health and quality of life through affordable innovation. The mother of three entrepreneurial sons, she consults to and coaches high-impact technology founders and executive teams.