La Tonja Ellis
Chief People Officer • She/Her
La Tonja D. Ellis is an innovator, educator, and community leader. La Tonja’s educational accomplishments include a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration, Master of Public Administration, Master of Human Resources Management, and a Master of Divinity.
In June 2022, La Tonja completed her studies and became a Certified Diversity Facilitrainer with the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) of St. Louis working towards equitable treatment of individuals daily. She also serves as a National Facilitator for Adult, Youth, and Teen Mental Health First Aid with the National Council of Wellbeing.
La Tonja’s work in the community has made a local and international impact. She has held leadership roles in various organizations to include the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago, United Way, Live Free Chicago and African International House.
La Tonja has served in various industries such as higher education, manufacturing, faith-based organizations, and mental health/substance abuse clinics.
In April 2021, La Tonja was ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She currently serves as the first female Pastor of Grant Memorial A.M.E. Church.
La Tonja is graduate of the two-year Mentee program called RISE Together, a national mentorship network for women of color in ministry through Union Theological Seminary located in New York. La Tonja now serves as co-mentor lead for the McCormick Theological Seminary Cohort in Chicago. Recently, she was chosen one of twenty pairs of inaugural fellows named to the TIDEL (Technology, Innovation, and Digital Engagement Lab) with Union Theological Seminary funded by the Lilly Endowment (https://utsnyc.edu/tidel-press-release-cohort-announcement/).
La Tonja is certified in many different areas to include Human Resources, Mental Health First Aid, Diversity, and Trauma Healing.
