Ellen has spent over 20 years growing consumer businesses from the brand side, and today she brings that experience to Newcastle where she partners closely with the brands in our investment portfolio to help them grow and scale. She’s in her element when shaping strategy, with a clear understanding of what it takes to operationalize it.

That support is designed to complement the existing team in place. Sometimes she’s helping sharpen positioning or evolve a go-to-market plan. Other times, she’s stepping in during leadership transitions, building a new function or leading projects that don’t yet have a natural owner. She moves easily between big-picture strategy and hands-on execution, bringing structure, clarity, and momentum wherever she’s needed.

Before joining Newcastle full time, Ellen founded Ro+Co, a pioneering consultancy that helped define the modern fractional leadership model. She worked with investors, founders, and CEOs in embedded brand and marketing leadership roles—filling gaps, building teams, and driving major initiatives from within. That experience shaped her approach at Newcastle, where she continues to operate as a trusted extension of the teams she supports. Her client roster included brands like Levain Bakery, Dunkin’, Spartan Races, and MYXFitness (SPAC IPO with Beachbody).

Earlier in her career, Ellen held senior marketing roles during pivotal growth and inflection stages at Equinox’s Blink Fitness, Whole Foods Market, and Pret A Manger. She earned her BA in Marketing and Journalism from Drake University.

What's your "why"?

I love to solve problems that help people. My orientation is to find solutions and when I can do that to help people shine and businesses grow, it feels pretty great!

If you could instantly become an expert in anything, which would you choose and why?

I’d be able to speak every language in the world. It would open up entirely new ways to connect with people and cultures while traveling—and earn me serious points with my kids for always getting the ice cream order right.

What was your childhood career dream and how different is it from what you’re doing now?

As a Lawrence, Kansas native, college basketball wasn’t just a pastime—it was practically a religion. So it makes sense that my childhood dream was to become a sports broadcaster. I even told a college admissions officer that I wanted to put Dick Vitale out of a job (sorry, Dickie V). I went on to study journalism and spent my college years doing color commentary for Drake basketball on local TV.

What's your go-to karaoke song?

“What's Up” by Four Non Blondes. It always brings the house down.