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.
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.
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
Mrunali Yadav, University of Arizona
I am currently a student at the University of Arizona, majoring in Information Science with a focus on Human-Centered Computing. My professional interests lie in
Isabella Gonzalez, University at Albany
Hi! My name is Isabella Gonzalez. I am currently studying communications/journalism at the University at Albany. I am expected to graduate with my bachelor’s in
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
Deja Hicks, Rutgers University Camden
Hello! My name is Deja Hicks. I am a senior at Rutgers University Camden. I am a Liberal Studies major looking forward to the future.
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
Xin Chen, Boston University
Xin Chen is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Television with a focus on producing and management at Boston University’s College of Communication. She
Maddie Hunt, University of San Diego
Maddie Hunt is a driven and ambitious junior at the University of San Diego, pursuing a major in Marketing. She has taken many courses in
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
Laurel Utterback, Bucknell University
Laurel is currently a dual-degree student at Case Western Reserve University. She is completing a J.D. with a concentration in health law as well as
Gabriel Kraemer, University of Chicago
Gabriel Kraemer is a freshman at the University of Chicago studying political science. Originally from Washington, D.C., Gabriel is interested in how electoral processes affect policy
Abigail Gaetz, George Washington University
Abigail is a rising senior at George Washington University majoring in International Relations. Throughout her college career, she has maintained a dual focus on technology