In this episode, Brooke Skinner Ricketts sits down with Ellen Havdala to explore her fascinating career journey and the profound lessons she’s learned along the way. Ellen, a Managing Director at Equity Group Investments, shares how she transitioned from a successful finance career to pursuing a divinity degree, and how these experiences have enriched her professional and personal life.
Discover the strategies Ellen employs to balance her ambitious career goals with her spiritual calling, and gain insights into her leadership style, mentorship approach, and personal growth practices. Whether you're contemplating a career change or looking for ways to integrate your personal values into your professional life, this episode provides invaluable guidance and inspiration.
- Learn effective strategies for overcoming midlife crisis and navigating career pivots with confidence and resilience.
- Uncover powerful strategies for cultivating effective mentor relationships to accelerate career advancement and personal development.
- Gain insights into finding personal success in diverse industries, uncovering the key principles that transcend specific fields for a fulfilling career journey.
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Highlights
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers
[00:30] Personal Journey and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
[01:23] Ellen Havdalah's Career and Leadership Insights
[03:58] Balancing Divinity School and Finance
[13:36] Daily Habits and Personal Values
[18:13] A Fateful Career Path
[18:57] Core Values and Success
[20:05] Mentorship and Relationships
[23:39] Navigating the Hybrid Work Era
[24:28] The Importance of Asking for Help
[25:08] Evolving with Equity Group
[28:22] Lightning Round: Personal Insights -
About
Ellen has worked in a variety of capacities for Sam Zell’s affiliated companies for more than 30 years. As managing director, she represents EGI in finding potential transactions and identifying new capital sources. She serves on the boards of Ardent Health Services, a provider of hospital and healthcare services and Lanter Delivery Systems, an asset-light dedicated delivery service provider. In addition, Ellen helped establish and is responsible for overseeing the Zell Global Entrepreneurship Network (ZGEN), an organization that provides continuing education and mentorship for students and alumni of three entrepreneurship education programs sponsored by the Zell Family Foundation.
She has served on the boards of SIRVA, Inc., a provider of moving and relocation services; Rewards Network, a dining rewards company; WRS Holding Company, which specializes in environmental construction and remediation; East Mediterranean Gas Company SAE, an Egyptian natural gas transmission business; 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.
Previously, 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 degree from the University of Chicago in 2016.
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Lightning Round
Q: What book has greatly influenced you?
A: I went to divinity school. The answer to this is absolutely the Torah.Q: What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
A: Go for greatness.Q: What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
A: PragmaticQ: What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
A: I stopped eating gluten. What else? I think I've just grown up and just become calmer and that really helps.Q: What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
A: Talladega 10 by the Chattahoochees -
Quotes
It's really critical to me that whoever is sitting right in front of me is the most important person in my life at that moment.
Ellen Havdala
I created my own mentors by trying to be helpful and just showing up..
Ellen Havdala
Your job is just to figure out where you're a 10 and spend as much time as you can there.
Ellen Havdala