Marie Ellis

Marie serves the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits as public policy director. In this role, Marie advances the mission and work of MCN and Minnesota’s nonprofit sector through developing MCN’s policy priorities, advocating on those issues at the state, local, and national levels, and assisting members in effectively advocating on behalf of their organizations and stakeholders. Marie is committed to continuing MCN’s work to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals and participates in overall organizational leadership and management at MCN as part of the leadership team.

Marie has been working in public policy since her first job, lobbying in Washington, DC with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Since then she has worked at the Minnesota Senate as Leadership Assistant, Catholic Charities as Public Policy Manager, and the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce as Director of Public Policy and Legal Counsel. Originally from Saint Cloud, Marie has a B.A. in Religion from Concordia College in Moorhead, a law degree from the University of Saint Thomas School of Law, and earned her NEWTs from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (she wishes).

With volunteer, intern, and work experience at dozens of Minnesota nonprofits, Marie brings an understanding of the challenges nonprofits face in advocacy work and loves helping MCN’s members discover and harness their advocacy power.