Meet the Team
Executive Team
Ellen Rizika
Executive Director
Ellen Rizika is ACE’s Executive Director and a leader with over 30 years of experience in global marketing for professional, academic and non-profit organizations.  Ellen developed an expertise in data-driven marketing campaigns when she was hired by the Walt Disney Company to manage a pan-European marketing program for the launch and post-launch phase of Euro Disney in Paris, France.Â
In 1995, Ellen returned to Boston to study at the MIT Sloan School where she earned her MBA and actively pursued a career in Management Consulting.  Ellen worked for Mercer Management Consulting in Boston and in Paris. In 2001 Ellen joined the Marketing department at the Boston University Questrom School of Business, where she designed an International Marketing course that she taught for 12 years.
In 2015 Ellen joined the Board of Directors of the Innovation Fund where she served as Chair of the Board of Directors, working to improve curriculum innovation in education. Now, as Executive Director for ACE, she is excited to bring her years of experience to help drive ACE’s mission.  Ellen is an avid skier, a mountain biking enthusiast and is passionate about languages and global travel.Â
Contact: ellen@ace-usa.org
Ella Dennis
Director of Policy Research
Ella is a nationally-recognized advocate whose work centers on improving policy frameworks for survivors of violence and includes the intersecting fields of public health, criminal justice reform, and economic justice. Her work spans local and global contexts, from Chicagoland to Dakar, Senegal to Quito, Ecuador. Ella graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2024 with a B.A. in Global Studies, B.S. in Psychology, and a Minor in French.
Ella returns to ACE with a background in qualitative and quantitative research, policy advocacy, and organizational leadership. In her year as an ACE Foreign Policy Fellow, Ella spearheaded the Sub-Saharan Africa Day of ACE’s Conference on Climate Migration and developed collaborations with King’s College London and Chatham House’s The World Today Magazine. She has worked as Founder and President of a local anti-gender-based violence organization, in Government Affairs and Advocacy at the Jed Foundation, and currently works as a Senior Domestic Violence Advocate outside of her time at ACE. As Director of Policy Research, Ella is excited to support the next generation of youth policy voices to produce accessible, nonpartisan analyses of pressing issues.
A Boren Scholar, Fulbright Semifinalist, and recipient of the Obama Foundation’s Voyager Scholarship for Public Service, Ella is energized by cross-disciplinary organizing for human rights and is always happy to collaborate on projects related to youth organizing and civic engagement.
Contact: ella@ace-usa.org
Alyssa Hoffecker
Digital Marketing Manager
Alyssa Hoffecker is the Digital Marketing Manager for ACE’s marketing team. Alyssa developed the strategy for ACE’s Election team and manages the marketing team alongside the Director of Marketing.
Alyssa is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at The University of Pittsburgh. She has experience with data focused research applied in a business-focused model. Her areas of interest include: data privacy and cybersecurity, UX design, and computational theory.
Alyssa has worked on multiple campaigns both at the local and federal level on their marketing and canvassing teams. She has also worked as a volunteer firefighter and runs an online Etsy shop. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, fostering dogs, and traveling.
Contact: Alyssa@ace-usa.org
Marketing Team
Kexin Liu, University of Rochester
Kexin recently graduated from the University of Rochester with a Master’s degree in Business Analytics. Her professional interests include data analysis, marketing analytics, and leveraging
Sophia Mazzola, University of South Carolina
Sophia Mazzola is a senior at the University of South Carolina, pursuing a degree in Public Relations. Her professional interests lie in marketing, social media
Christopher Maichin, Colby College
Christopher Maichin is a double major in Government and Education at Colby College, where he is also a member of the varsity men’s lacrosse team.
Vianna Rodgers, University of Texas at Austin
Vianna Rodgers is a Government major from the University of Texas at Austin, and is also double minoring in Business & Law, Justice, and Society.
Anh Tran, Denison University
Mia Tran is a current double major in Global Commerce and Economics at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. She is interested in international business and
Katelin Kalgren, Virginia Tech
Katelin is a Junior at Virginia Tech from Virginia Beach. She is majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Event Management and Consumer Studies. Katelin’s
Ethaar Gwary, University of Virginia
Ethaar Gwary is a third-year student at the McIntire School of Commerce. Her plan is to concentrate in Marketing and IT with a track in
Briana Vinson, University of South Carolina
Briana is an Honors student at the University of South Carolina, majoring in Human Resources (HR) Management with a minor in African-American Studies. Passionate about
Benjamin McConniel, University of Texas at Austin
Ben McConniel is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a degree in Communication and Leadership with a minor in Sports Media.
Licheng Zhao, University of Rochester
My name is Licheng Zhao. Feel free to call me Lucas. I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Marketing Analytics at the University
Zachary Pozolo, Wayne State University
My name is Zachary Pozolo.  I am a senior at Wayne State University majoring in marketing and minoring in psychology.  Outside of academics, I love to go
Vianna Rodgers, University of Texas-Austin
Vianna Rodgers is a Government major from the University of Texas at Austin, and is also double minoring in Business & Law, Justice, and Society.
Anh Tran, Denison University
I am Mia Tran from Denison University majoring in Global Commerce with a minor in Economics. With a strong interest in exploring the intersection of
Tianyao Wang, University of Rochester
Tianyao is a student at the University of Rochester, Simon Business School pursuing a Master of Science in Marketing Analytics. She is also passionate about
Alyssa Hoffecker, University of Pittsburgh
I am a senior at the University of Pittsburgh with a major in Digital Narrative and Interactive Design. As a young adult, I have worked
Research Team Leaders
Maria Tokarev, Liberty University
Maria Tokarev is a dynamic individual originally from Ukraine, bringing a rich cultural perspective and multilingual background to every endeavor. Fluent in multiple languages, Maria
Taylor DeLac, George Washington University
Taylor is a Public Health Master’s student at George Washington University, specializing in Health Policy at the Milken Institute School of Public Health. She holds
Olivia Scott,University of Pennsylvania
Olivia Scott is a pre-medical student at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in neuroscience. Her focus is on the convergence of medicine and technology to
Akansha Bojjam, UT Austin
Akansha Bojjam is a public health major at UT Austin with a certificate in Spanish for Medical Professions. As a certified emergency medical technician, Akansha
Michael Akoto, Rutgers University
Michael is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Rutgers University, with an expected graduation in May 2026. His academic background includes a