After spending over 20 years in the oil and gas business traveling extensively, first with Union Texas Petroleum, and then with Halliburton, Ellie founded francisco+co seven years ago to provide strategic community positioning and introductions for corporations and non-profits as well as event consulting and management in both Houston and Dallas. Ellie combines expertise in fundraising, development and event planning, with her hands-on corporate experience in strategic planning, finance and communications with Fortune 200 companies to offer her clients the best of both worlds.
Ellie is also very involved in the community having chaired many prominent philanthropic galas including the 1998 Ronald McDonald House of Houston Gala and the 2001 and 2009 Heart Ball, benefiting the American Heart Association, each raising over $1 million to name a few. Other organizations that have benefitted from Ellie’s generous spirit are Crohns and Colitis Foundation, March of Dimes, Child Advocates, Trees for Houston, Houston Ballet, and the American Cancer Society. Many of the corporate partnerships and programs she created and launched with Halliburton and the Houston sports teams are still in place, including Battle Red Day. She has spoken at national, state and local conferences about event management and strategic positioning.
Ellie currently serves on the Boards of Friends of Nursing for St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Hermann Park Conservancy and the advisory Board of Child Advocates, Dress for Success, Moores School of Music and on committees for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Ellie was named in 2008 one of Houston’s Most Influential Women by Houston Woman Magazine, one of Houston’s Dynamic Women for 2007–2012 by Houston Modern Luxury Magazine, 2004 recipient of Mary Jo Peckham Award by the Assistance League of Houston, 2002 Woman of Distinction by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, 2001 Robert Cruikshank Volunteer of the Year Award by the American Heart Association, and in 2000 a “Hat’s Off To Mothers” United Cerebral Palsy Foundation Honoree. She and her husband, Michael, were honored in 2003 as a pacesetter couple for the Cancer League. Ellie is also proud to have helped start the “Champagne Cowgirls” scholarship group for Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Ellie and Michael have two incredible sons, Gregg and Joseph. She has a BBA degree from the College of William and Mary and an MBA degree from the University of Houston.