Ellen Thorp is a dynamic leader, strategic visionary, and trusted chief executive for national trade associations and nonprofit organizations. As an equity-focused leader, she champions diversity and inclusion throughout her endeavors and cultivates collaborative programs and cultures for leadership teams, staff, and volunteers to thrive.
Thorp is an intentional collaborator who structures high-capacity coalitions to strengthen advocacy, outreach, and engagement initiatives for numerous organizations, regulatory agencies, and municipal governments. Her focus centers on developing and executing frameworks that align strategic goals, building and guiding collaborative teams, and providing solutions-focused service to meet member needs. She believes that transformative change happens best when people with a common interest unite for advocacy, education, and communication.
In addition to providing leadership and advocacy work for other roofing-related trade associations for the past 16 years, Thorp was the inaugural staff member of National Women in Roofing. She grew the association from its founding to 2500 members, 40 major sponsors, and programs that have engaged thousands of men and women in the roofing and building enclosure industry. As the managing director of the Coalition for Sustainable Roofing, Thorp brings together associations and manufacturers to educate on and advocate for holistic roof system designs and sustainable roofing assemblies.
Thorp has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in education policy and has earned the rigorous Certified Association Executive designation.