Every organization faces defining moments—a new opportunity, an emerging challenge, or an ambitious idea that requires thoughtful planning, strong partnerships, and sustainable funding.
The following examples illustrate how Ellen has helped organizations develop innovative initiatives, build collaborative partnerships, secure resources, and create lasting impact.
Expanding Opportunity Through Environmental Justice, Mental Health, and STEM Career Pathways
Hispanic Access Foundation
The Opportunity
Hispanic Access Foundation sought to expand its national impact by developing innovative initiatives serving Latino communities across a wide array of sectors.
The Strategy
Working closely with organizational leadership, Ellen shaped new program concepts, identified funding opportunities, recruited evaluation and subject-matter experts, cultivated strategic partnerships, and developed competitive proposals aligned with federal and foundation priorities.
The Impact
The organization launched flagship national initiatives in mental health, informal STEM and career pathways, and citizen science and environmental justice. Ellen secured $9.5 million in grant funding, propelled national and international media coverage in outlets such as NPR and The Guardian, and helped position the organization to present its work at Harvard University.
Strengthening a National Network of Community Organizations
Mental Health America
The Opportunity
Mental Health America wanted to strengthen the capacity of its nationwide network of community-based organizations.
The Strategy
Ellen co-launched a national technical assistance center serving more than 800 grassroots organizations. Working with community leaders across the country, she designed training curricula, technical assistance resources, organizational communications tools, a national voter empowerment initiative, and cultural competency programming.
The Impact
The initiative strengthened mental health leadership nationwide while equipping local organizations with practical tools to expand services, increase civic engagement, and better serve their communities. The national mental health voter empowerment campaign received front-page coverage in The New York Times.
Expanding National University Partnerships
Peace Corps
The Opportunity
The Peace Corps sought to strengthen relationships with colleges and universities while expanding opportunities for students and returned Peace Corps Volunteers.
The Strategy
Ellen developed research-informed outreach strategies, organized national graduate school summits, strengthened institutional partnerships, coordinated communications across multiple agency offices, and evaluated program performance to identify opportunities for growth.
The Impact
Participation in key university initiatives doubled, significantly expanding the agency’s reach within higher education.
Reaching Millions Through Public Education
Hispanic Radio Network
The Opportunity
The broad U.S. Spanish-speaking population lacked critical public information to access services and thrive in new lives in the United States.
The Strategy
As Executive Producer, Ellen designed nationally syndicated public education campaigns combining audience research, strategic communications, subject matter expertise, media partnerships, and bilingual educational programming. Campaigns required collaboration among healthcare professionals, researchers, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, and community partners.
The Impact
Ellen’s campaigns addressing HIV prevention, nutrition and obesity, clinical trials, mental health, human trafficking, fair housing, and other public interest issues reached 90 percent of U.S. Spanish-language radio audiences. This programming prompted numerous calls to a national bilingual information and referral helpline, facilitating personal connections to valuable community resources.
Bringing Adler’s Ideas to a National Audience
Soul Metaphors PBS Documentary
The Opportunity
Although Alfred Adler profoundly influenced modern psychology, his work remains largely unknown outside professional circles.
The Strategy
Ellen conceived and now leads development of a documentary film for PBS introducing Adler’s ideas to a broad public audience. The project has required building partnerships among internationally recognized scholars, clinicians, educators, filmmakers, and nonprofit organizations while coordinating fundraising, research, communications, and production.
The Impact
The project has created an international collaborative effort dedicated to making Adlerian psychology more accessible through public broadcasting and educational outreach.
A Common Thread
These projects span a broad variety of subject matters. Yet they all began with the same challenge: transforming an ambitious idea into a practical, sustainable initiative.
That is the focus of Apple Pie Communications.
Ellen helps organizations identify opportunities, develop innovative strategies, build strong partnerships, secure resources, and guide implementation. Whether launching a new initiative or strengthening an existing one, her goal is to help clients create programs that continue delivering value long after the consulting engagement has ended.
Contact
Ellen Alderton
LinkedIn | Schedule an Introductory Meeting
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