Ellen Havdala

Background

Havdala was born on February 13, 1966 in Chicago, Illinois, United States; the daughter of Henri Solomon Havdala and Sandra Lee (Abrams) Havdala.

Education

Havdala received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College in 1988. She earned her Master of Divinity degree from the University of Chicago in 2016.

Career

Ellen has worked in a variety of capacities for Sam Zell’s affiliated companies since 1990. She serves on the boards of Ardent Health Services, a provider of hospital and healthcare services, and Equity Distribution Acquisition Corp, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) targeting opportunities to apply technological advancement within the industrial industry. Ellen represents EGI in sourcing potential transactions and meeting new capital sources. In addition, she is responsible for establishing and overseeing the Zell Global Entrepreneurship Network (ZGEN), an organization designed to provide continuing education and mentorship for students and alumni of Sam’s three entrepreneurship education programs. During her tenure within Sam’s network, she served on the boards of SIRVA, Inc., a provider of moving and relocation services; Rewards Network, Inc., a dining rewards company; WRS Holding Company, an environmental construction and remediation company; East Mediterranean Gas Company SAE, an Egyptian natural gas transmission company; National Patent Development Corporation, a holding company focused on pharmaceutical and home improvement products; and Home Products International, a global consumer products company. She also held the roles of Executive Vice President at Equity International and Vice President of Scott Sports Group, Inc. Prior to joining Sam’s organization, Ellen was a financial analyst with The First Boston Corporation in New York City. She graduated magna cum laude with a BA from Harvard College, and earned her Master of Divinity from the University of Chicago in 2016.

Membership

Havdala is a member of Harvard Club in Chicago.

Connections

Father:

Henri Solomon Havdala

Mother:

Sandra Lee (Abrams) Havdala