Stephanie Ellis-Smith is the owner of the philanthropic advisory firm Phila Engaged Giving, a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP), and a Certified 21/64 Advisor in multi-generational family philanthropy. She helps her clients clarify their giving in light of their goals and empowers them to feel the joy of using their wealth, talents, and experience to improve the lives of those around them. Stephanie herself is a philanthropist, activist and volunteer.
She believes strongly in being a compassionate and generous member of society and has devoted much of her life to the enrichment of her community through her diverse background in the arts and sciences.
Based in Seattle, she is the founder and former Executive Director of the Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas (CD Forum). Prior to the CD Forum, she worked with the Jacob Lawrence Catalogue Raisonné Project, a prestigious art history endeavor that located, catalogued, re-photographed, and published the 1,100 work oeuvre of the artist. Before the arts, she was in the biological sciences where she studied and worked at UCLA and the University of Washington. Stephanie has served on numerous boards and commissions including the Washington State Arts Commission, appointed by Governor Gary Locke; the Seattle Arts Commission, appointed by Mayor Greg Nickels; and the Central Waterfront Committee, appointed by Mayor Ed Murray.
She is on the board of YWCA King/Snohomish County, the outgoing Board Chair of Artist Trust, and an Advisor to the University of Washington Press and BlackPast.org. She has been a trustee for KUOW Public Radio; Leadership Tomorrow, and City Club. She has received numerous awards including the Puget Sound Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” and the Seattle Weekly’s “Best Expander of Cultural Boundaries”. She is married to the Russian historian, Douglas Smith and has two teenagers and a Doberman.