Ellen Coren founded Chesapeake Public Strategies in 2006, the culmination of a 25-year career in government and community affairs, public relations and business. The Washington Business Journal named the company a Leading PR Firm in 2016, 2015 and 2014.

           

Recognized as Most Admired CEO in 2013 and three times named Top 100 Woman of Maryland by the Daily Record, Ellen’s career included roles as Comcast Government Affairs Director, lobbyist for Washington Gas, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce CEO and Legislative Director for the MD Department of Juvenile Services.

 

Prior to starting Chesapeake, Ellen worked at Comcast in Montgomery County, MD, where she created a comprehensive government and public affairs program and built strong relationships with key regulators, elected officials and community leaders. Comcast won six national and local awards in recognition of Ellen’s achievements.

 

Ellen’s career began in 1976 at Washington Gas, where she rose through the ranks as a speechwriter and company spokesperson to a lobbyist before the Maryland General Assembly and Prince George’s and Montgomery county governments.

 

While lobbying for Washington Gas, Ellen founded the Maryland Government Relations Association to foster the professional development of women in government relations. MGRA is now the pre-eminent association for women as well as men in the government affairs profession.

 

In 1989 Ellen joined the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services to establish a government affairs operation for this new cabinet level department. She then returned to Montgomery County to become CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce where she developed a government affairs and grassroots program, successfully increased membership and brought financial stability to the organization.

 

In 2016 Ellen was honored at Sulam’s annual gala for her commitment to helping children with learning differences. Ellen currently serves as Economic Development Co-Chair for the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce. She is a former President and current board member of the Committee for Montgomery and also serves on Sulam’s Board of Directors. She is active in a wide range of organizations, including the Building Industry Association, CREW, BlackRock Center for the Arts and numerous Chambers of Commerce. 

 

Ellen’s past leadership positions include Committee for Montgomery Chair, Executive Board member of the Ryan Kerrigan Foundation, Legislative Affairs Vice President for the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Board Chair of the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, First Vice President of the Greater Olney Civic Association (GOCA) and Board member of the Jewish Community Relations Council.