INDIANAPOLIS – FEBRUARY 9, 2021 –Simon Youth Foundation (SYF), a national nonprofit committed to helping high school students reach graduation day, announced today the election of Jacqué Ellis, Vice President of Development Marketing and Corporate Events for Simon, to its Board of Directors.
Ellis has spent 25 years at Simon working at both the corporate and property level. In her current role, Ellis is responsible for all Simon corporate events and for developing the strategic marketing plan for all development projects. Notably, Ellis has planned and managed on-site execution of over 20 Grand Openings and 25 Grand Re-Openings in this role.
In addition to her work with Simon, Ellis has supported SYF since its inception. She is a founding member of the Masquerade Committee, SYF’s premier fundraising gala with the Pacers Foundation. Ellis has also volunteered and several committees and planned numerous fundraising events for SYF. In recognition of her deep support, Ellis received the SYF Chairperson Award for outstanding volunteerism in 2005.
“Jacqué’s commitment to SYF’s mission has been instrumental to the Foundation’s success over the last 21 years,” said J. Michael Durnil, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of SYF. “We look forward to harnessing her expertise and passion as a member of SYF’s Board of Directors, who lend their time, talent, and treasure to support SYF’s work in communities across the country.”
Prior to joining Simon, Ellis held positions with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Union Station. She is also a member of the Special Events Host Committee for the upcoming NBA All Star event.
Complementing Ellis’ addition to the Board, SYF re-elected longtime Board members Dr. J.T. Coopman, Executive Director of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents, Darin Etchinson, First Vice President – Wealth Management for UBS Financial Services, Stephen E. Kingsley, Senior Vice President of Operations for Simon Property Group, Dr. Jeffrey Patchen, President and CEO of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Michael Romstad, Executive Vice President of Simon Management Group for Simon Property Group, and Scott T. Wolfrum, Managing Director of Wolfrum Capital Management Group for the A Noyes Family Office.
In addition to its important work helping students graduate high school, SYF also supports students’ pursuit of post-secondary opportunities through college counseling and scholarships available for Simon Youth Academy students and high school seniors who live in communities where Simon properties are located.
About Simon Youth Foundation
Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) is a national nonprofit committed to helping students reach graduation day. SYF works toward this mission by partnering with local public school districts to launch Simon Youth Academies, alternative classroom settings located primarily in Simon Malls, and by providing Simon Youth Scholarships to Academy graduates and students who live near Simon Malls. Since its inception, SYF has maintained a 90% graduation rate at its 42 Simon Youth Academies in 15 states, helping more than 22,000 students earn their high school diplomas, and has awarded $19 million in scholarships. Visit syf.org to learn more.
