Fundraising Fox

Pelema Ellis

Investor

Investor at MassChallenge

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Writes $100K – $5M checks · typically $1.5M

About

Pelema Ellis is Executive Vice President and Head of the Not-for-Profit & Higher Education Search Practice at CBIZ. She works with entrepreneurial organizations and leaders in the higher education and not-for-profit sectors on talent identification, attraction, and organizational strategy. Her approach integrates design, strategy, and human capital considerations to address client needs.

Experience

  1. CBIZEVP & Head | Not-for-Profit & Higher Education Search Practicecurrent2025 — present
  2. Buffkin / BakerPartner | Higher Education2025
  3. Buffkin / BakerAssociate Partner2023 — 2025
  4. Buffkin / BakerPrincipal2022
  5. University of New HampshireVice Provost2019 — 2022Durham, NH
  6. Great Bay Community CollegePresident | Community Partner2018 — 2019Portsmouth, New Hampshire
  7. University of Missouri-ColumbiaVice Provost2016 — 2018
  8. Bryn Mawr CollegeChief Strategic Enrollment Officer2014 — 2016
  9. University of Nebraska OmahaAssociate Vice Chancellor/Assistant Professor2011 — 2014Division of Academic and Student Affairs
  10. University of San DiegoAssistant Dean2009 — 2011School of Leadership and Education
  11. University of MichiganGraduate Research Assistant2006 — 2009Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education
  12. Stanford UniversityFinancial Aid Counselor/Program Coordinator2002 — 2005
  13. Hospitality and Brokerage ServicesSales and Marketing Manager1995 — 2002

Education

  1. Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyM.B.A., Strategy and Entrepreneurship
  2. University of MichiganPh.D., Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education
  3. San José State UniversityB.A., M.A.
  4. Cabrillo College

Skills & more

Talent Management1Organizational Development1Strategy ConsultingBusiness DevelopmentOrganizational DesignExecutive Search1Higher Education17Relationship Development1Strategic Planning1

From Pelema's professional profile.

Frequently asked questions

Where does Pelema Ellis work?
Pelema Ellis is at MassChallenge.
What check size does Pelema Ellis write?
Pelema Ellis typically writes checks of $100K – $5M.

Same school

Also attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology1,280

Fred WilsonCo-founder & Partner at Union Square VenturesElad GilSolo general partner investing through Gil CapitalAileen LeeFounder & Managing Partner of Cowboy VenturesHemant TanejaCEO & Managing Director of General CatalystNat FriedmanCo-lead of Meta Superintelligence Labs; co-founder of NFDGBrad FeldCo-founder of Foundry and Techstars

+ 1,274 more

Also attended University of Michigan487

Erik TorenbergGeneral Partner at Andreessen HorowitzKarim FarisInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Glen AndersonPartner at Monta Vista CapitalAlexandra FarmerPrincipal at Intel Capital, North AmericaHannah KrootMarketing Lead at Intel CapitalScott ShawChief of Staff at Intel Capital

+ 481 more

Also attended San José State University103

Arturo LitvinHead of Global Portfolio Development at Intel CapitalCarrie RuleVP Finance at Redpoint VenturesJamie WatsonGTM Coordinator at Scale Venture PartnersDeny KhoungPortfolio Support at 8VCKim TranFinance at Lux CapitalMarvin SooHooVenture Partner at Moneta Ventures

+ 97 more

Also attended Cabrillo College3

Amira JanbayExecutive Assistant at Griffin Gaming PartnersDr. Ryan SpitlerAdvisory Partner at Boutique Venture PartnersJustyn MyersDesigner & Editor at Kicker Ventures

Shared employers

Also worked at University of Missouri-Columbia10

Anna OglodzinskaExecutive Assistant at Sapphire VenturesLaura CainAnalyst, Talent at Five Elms CapitalPaige LinkerExecutive Assistant at FINTOP CapitalMelissa LokugamageSenior Venture Associate at 82VSBrett CalhounGeneral Partner at Redbud VCRuizhi HongPrincipal at Lair East Labs

+ 4 more

Also worked at Bryn Mawr College3

Nuan ZhangInvestor at Episode1Elisa SepulvedaPrincipal at L'ATTITUDE VenturesElizabeth (Lizzie) SiegleScout at Afore Capital

Also worked at University of Michigan107

Alexandra FarmerPrincipal at Intel Capital, North AmericaLogan HilleLife Sciences Analyst at CincyTechSara Risch, PhDAdvisor at CincyTechPeter GiordanoFormer Global Director GTM Strategy at Scale Venture PartnersPaul BrownManaging Director at eLab VenturesDoug NealManaging Director at eLab Ventures

+ 101 more

Also worked at Stanford University645

Ann Miura-KoCo-founding Partner at FloodgateBalaji SrinivasanEngineer, founder, angel investor, author of The Network State, and founder of Network SchoolMartin CasadoGeneral Partner at Andreessen HorowitzDeep NisharInvestment Team at General CatalystPaul KwanInvestment Team at General CatalystBryan OffuttInvestor at Index Ventures

+ 639 more