Ellen Patnaude, a Detroit native, spent a decade in corporate and nonprofit leadership before founding an internationally recognized company dedicated to improving everyday workplace interactions. She is the author of two books: one on how assumptions undermine communication and another addressing the need to remove shame from elder caregiving conversations. Ellen is a Workplace Communication Expert, credentialed Executive Coach, and certified in multiple assessment tools. Her company holds LGBT Business Enterprise certification, and she serves on the Board of the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Advisory Board for the Flint & Genesee Chamber. She also volunteers as a Community Educator with the Alzheimer’s Association of Michigan. Ellen lives in mid-Michigan with her family.