Ellen Sprenger is the founder of Spring Strategies. Spring Strategies works to strengthen social justice and human rights leaders, organizations, movements and foundations by helping them grow, thrive and manage change. The approach is both down-to-earth and transformative based on the latest management innovations, tools and insights. Spring Strategies combines challenging conversations, coaching, creativity and out-of-the-box thinking with a drive for practicality and excellence. Led by Ellen Sprenger, Spring Strategies engages committed strategists and change management experts from around the world. Spring Strategies specializes in executive coaching, strategic planning, future scenario development, leadership development, organizational transformation and growth and financial sustainability.

With over 15 years of experience working with non-profit organizations and social justice initiatives worldwide, Ellen has worked with philanthropic foundations and aid institutions (Hivos –Netherlands, Sigrid Rausing Trust –UK, Wellspring Advisors –USA, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs –Netherlands, Mama Cash –Netherlands and the affinity group Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues – USA) and social justice organizations, including the Association for Women’s Rights in Development, Fund for Global Human Rights –USA, Global Fund for Women –USA, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission –USA, Global Campaign for Microbicides –USA, Puntos de Encuentro –Nicaragua, Association for Progressive Communications –South Africa, Breakthrough –India and USA, Akina Mama wa Afrika –Uganda, Maquila Solidarity Network –Mexico & Canada and Global Doctors for Choice –USA.

Prior to Spring Strategies and becoming an independent strategist and management consultant in 2004, Ellen was the executive director of Mama Cash, a dynamic feminist foundation based in Amsterdam. From 1992 – 2001, she held several leadership positions at Oxfam Novib, including the gender policy advisor, organizational development advisor and quality and control manager.

Ellen serves on a number of international boards and advisory committees including Just Associates, The Women’s Funding Network, Central American Women’s Fund, CREA and the Astra Central and Eastern European Network for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

Her publications include Where is the Money for Women’s Rights? Assessing resources and the role of donors in the promotion of women’s rights and the support of women’s rights organizations, co-authored with Cindy Clark, Lisa VeneKlasen, Lydia Alpizar and Joanna Kerr (2006, AWID), The Future of Women’s Rights: Global Visions and Strategies, co-edited with Joanna Kerr and Alison Symington (2004, ZED books), and Gender and Organizational Change: Bridging the Gap between Policy and Practice, co-authored with Mandy MacDonald and Ireen Dubel (1997, Royal Tropical Institute).

Ellen holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Erasmus University Rotterdam, an MA in Development Studies and BA in Anthropology from University of Nijmegen (Netherlands) and undertook the Women and Development Masters program at the Institute of Social Studies (Netherlands). She is a professional Integral Coach™ with Integral Coaching Canada Inc.