Ellie Owen
Director of Direct Community Investments
As Director of the Direct Community Investments department, Ellie oversees the administration of various privately and publicly funded grant programs, facilitating the processing and disbursement of grant awards. Joining LEDC at the beginning of the pandemic, Ellie was involved in processing LEDC's first Covid relief project on behalf of the DC government. Over the lifetime of the DCI Department, she has taken lessons from each other's programs to innovate ever more streamlined solutions. Passionate about resource access as a tool for empowerment, Ellie previously worked with Ayuda's Language Access Program and the Scholars' Latino Initiative in Richmond, VA. Born in Atlanta, GA, Ellie graduated summa cum laude from the University of Richmond with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and a concentration in Development. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, journaling, and painting.