Meet Our Team

ERIN GAINER

founder & STEERING COMMITTEE

I created the ella fund in the hopes of contributing on my modest scale to empowering girls and women around the world. I am proud to call myself a feminist, meaning that no opportunity (or challenge) should be refused (or altered) because of gender. After a 15-year career in the healthcare industry culminating in CEO and Board-level roles, I feel fortunate to have gained financial independence. I am conscious that solid education, good health and an entrepreneurial environment have been critical to my own success. 

KELLY GAINER ZEGGER

steering committee 

I am honored to help steer the ella fund, whose vision of empowering girls and women is dear to my heart, especially as it focuses on the most vulnerable of women to help them get on their feet, secure a future, and strive to achieve their full potential. I have fourteen years of experience in helping clients to initiate, manage and implement change in their organizations and look forward to applying those same skills in helping girls and women change their lives for the better.

SHAUNA DORSEY PARENTE

steering committee 

I am grateful to help steer the ella fund as it provides me with an opportunity to impact and empower a growing community of females in need of positive support. It is an extension of my passion and long-term interests in advancing education and healthcare opportunities for girls and women. I know that the successes in my own career in biomedicine are due to invaluable guidance and mentorship, and we strive to provide females with the tools and resources needed to elicit such success in their own lives.

GODA GAUŠAITĖ

investment specialist

I am a proud Lithuanian working at a global middle market private equity firm with a demonstrated experience in opportunity screening, financial and commercial analysis. I am passionate about impact investing and empowering girls and women through education, entrepreneurship and healthcare opportunities.