Biography
Elyssa Ely’s love for Yale began the same way it did for many other teenagers in the early 2000s — week by week with the newest episode of Gilmore Girls. She never imagined she would have the opportunity to explore the gorgeous campus depicted on the show, participate in the traditions, and experience the values of the university. Being a part of the vibrant Yale community as a graduate nursing student was an honor and a privilege that changed the way she views the world. Upon graduation, she knew she wanted to remain an active member of the community and jumped right into alumni affairs.
Ely’s involvement with Yale alumni activity began as an at-large delegate to the YAA Assembly and a board member of the Yale School of Nursing Alumni Association (YSNAA) board. She became YSNAA president in 2022 with the goal of increasing engagement as the world recovered in the post-pandemic years. The YSNAA board took this opportunity to redefine itself through the creation of new mission and vision statements, core values and strategic goals for the organization. It also updated bylaws to allow an expanded board, new emphasis on DEIB efforts, and better representation of the alumni community.
Ely looks forward to the opportunity to share lessons learned with the broader Yale alumni community through serving on the YAA Board of Governors.
