Susan Ell has been selected as the executive director and vice president of The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

“We focused on finding an experienced leader with a health care foundation and strong ties to the philanthropic community, we have found such a leader in Susan,” says Rich Liekweg, president, Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Most recently at SSM Health Care for two years, she served as the network vice president for philanthropy. Ell doubled philanthropic revenues and integrated four hospital foundations to support SSM’s hospitals, community outreach and mission programs in the St. Louis area.

Prior to her position at SSM, Ell served as the chief development officer and senior philanthropy advisor for Advocate Health Care in Oak Brook, Ill. Her roles at the Advocate Charitable Foundation included president, chief operating officer, vice president of development and vice president of planned giving.

Ell started her career as a registered nurse. She went on to graduate with honors from the University of Chicago with a bachelor's degree in biological sciences. Her ties to St. Louis began when she attended Washington University School of Law, where she earned a Juris Doctor.

In addition to membership in the Missouri Bar Association, Ell serves as a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, is the former president of the Chicago Council on Planned Giving and served as a member of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy.

“With her comprehensive portfolio of success in the health care and academic environments, we look forward to Susan's contributions,” says Liekweg.

Ell will assume her new role Feb. 17.