Ellen Galinsky

About Ellen

• I grew up in West Virginia, which didn’t have great schooling options for me, but my mother constantly inspired me to learn and work hard.
• I had no idea what I wanted to do when I was younger—but I’m glad I didn’t know because it left me more open to the different opportunities life brings.
• I studied to be a lawyer, but when I was a sophomore in college, I realized I was unhappy with my courses because I was constantly stuck in the library—I wanted my learning to be more balanced.
• After realizing how unhappy I was, I pleaded with a child development professor—I had always been interested in childhood learning—to let me into one of her courses, which completely changed my life.
• I switched my major to child studies and worked as a researcher along with my peers, as the field was relatively new—most professionals had been more interested in studying adults.
• As a senior in college, I went to conferences to figure out which sectors held the professionals I respected most and would want to work with.
• After graduating from Vassar College, I went on to get my master’s degree in education and child development.
• In addition to serving as chief science officer for the Bezos Family Foundation and president of the Families and Work Institute, I’ve published multiple books, including “Six Stages of Parenthood.”