Former Tempe vice mayor to head ASU Watts College’s Action Nexus to address homelessness in Maricopa County

Longtime nonprofit executive Shana Ellis previously was VP of Area Agency on Aging and was CEO of The Centers for Rehabilitation

PHOENIX (March 6, 2020) – A former Tempe vice mayor with more than 25 years’ experience in nonprofit management will become the executive director of the Watts College Action Nexus, the dean of Arizona State University’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, Jonathan Koppell, announced today.

Shana Ellis, who most recently was vice president of programs and services at the Phoenix-based Area Agency on Aging, will start her new position on March 11.

The Action Nexus is a new ASU-based team intended to support the coordination of diverse social service agencies working together to address homelessness in Maricopa County. Based on the belief that a united effort can transform the Arizona system into a model for accomplishing the same nationwide, the Nexus’s role is to help “connect the dots” among the various coalitions across the Valley and mobilize ASU resources to enhance their efforts.

“The Watts College Action Nexus will bring ASU resources to bear to help address the homelessness challenge in Maricopa County,” Koppell said. “We can do more collectively to address homelessness in our community than any one organization can do alone, and I am excited Shana Ellis has agreed to lead the Nexus, and to partner with agencies across Maricopa County to drive a collective impact approach forward.”

At the Area Agency on Aging, Ellis oversaw programs that enable seniors to enrich their quality of life and remain as independent as possible.

Before her time at the Area Agency, Ellis was the president and CEO of The Centers for Habilitation, helping individuals with disabilities through employment, housing, transportation and socialization programs.

Between 2006 and 2015, Ellis served eight years on the Tempe City Council, two years as vice mayor. A graduate of Valley Leadership, she has received the Don Carlos Humanitarian Award for community service and was honored by the Phoenix Business Journal as an Outstanding Woman in Business.

Ellis holds a bachelor of science degree in computer information systems/business and a master of public administration degree, both from Arizona State University.  She has served on several nonprofit boards that focus on youth, transportation, disabilities, leadership, aging and homelessness.

“Shana brings a diverse set of skills and experiences to this new position at the Action Nexus, which will make it a meaningful and productive endeavor to address homelessness in our community.” said Amy Schwabenlender, executive director of the Human Services Campus in Phoenix. “Having worked with Shana in her time on Tempe City Council and the Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care, I can attest to her commitment, passion and intelligence in working on solutions to end homelessness.”

Both Ellis’ position and a soon-to-be-filled position of project manager who will serve as liaison between ASU and HSC, are being funded by the generous support of the Garcia Family Foundation.

The Action Nexus is already engaged in several partnership projects related to building data infrastructure, boosting street outreach and sharing research and information. In addition to increasing service capacity, these efforts will also provide valuable learning opportunities for students through fieldwork, internships and class projects.

“While we’re well ahead of other states, we are also at an inflection point requiring collective action to take major leaps forward in the fight to solve homelessness,” said Jon Ehlinger, president of the Garcia Family Foundation.

“ASU and the Action Nexus are uniquely positioned to facilitate and inform this collective action, particularly with (the university’s) prior experience in collective impact initiatives and the ability to draw on the resources of ASU to supplement the community’s work,” Ehlinger said. “Action Nexus Executive Director Shana Ellis has the background and leadership to see this initiative through to a successful and sustainable conclusion, not only for Arizona but as a national model for other communities.”

Media contact
Mark Scarp, media relations officer
mark.scarp@asu.edu
office (602) 496-0001 or cell (602) 810-8964

About ASU
Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it. For more information, visit https://asu.edu.

About Watts College

The Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions is made up of four schools and more than 20 research centers—all with a shared goal of advancing research and discovery of public value, and furthering the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities they serve. For more information, visit https://publicservice.asu.edu.

About the Human Services Campus

Founded in 2005, the Human Services Campus is a collaborative force of partner organizations united on one campus to end homelessness. Located just west of downtown Phoenix, 16 independent agencies on the Campus see nearly 1,000 individuals every day, offering a holistic range of client services including: reunification with family and friends; mental, physical and dental health; shelter; employment; meals; legal services and housing. Having all of these resources in one location with intra-agency communications makes it more feasible to provide a customized engagement for each client to help end their homelessness.  For more information, visit www.hsc-az.org.

About the Garcia Family Foundation

Founded in 1996 in Phoenix, the Garcia Family Foundation is committed to serving and solving the challenges of those living in poverty in Arizona. Over the last 20-plus years, its support has included aid for the homeless, support for healthcare initiatives and assistance of all kinds for children in need. The Foundation currently focuses on homelessness and the prevention of homelessness, and providing educational opportunities for high-achieving, disadvantaged students at the high school, technical and university levels, with a focus on strategic partnerships and collaboration across all program areas. For more information, contact jon.ehlinger@garciafamilyfoundationaz.org.

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