Our Founder

Brooke Ellison grew up on Long Island, and for the first 11 years of her life, was involved in so many of the activities that characterize childhood. But all of that changed on Sept. 4th of 1990 when she was hit by a car while she was on her way home from school. The accident left her paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a ventilator. In 2000, ten years after her accident, Brooke graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University. She gave a commencement address for her Harvard graduation in June of 2000, which was covered extensively by media outlets around the world, including the TODAY Show and a cover story by The New York Times.

Since her graduation from Harvard in 2000, Brooke has worked as a public speaker, delivering the message of hope and motivation, and strength in the face of obstacles. In January of 2002, Brooke published a book entitled, Miracles Happen, which subsequently was made into a movie, directed by Christopher Reeve. Brooke continued her education by graduating from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government with a Master’s degree in Public Policy. In November of 2006, Brooke ran for New York State Senate, and her campaign was endorsed by The New York Times, and was highlighted on the TODAY Show. Brooke continued her work as stem cell research advocate and public speaker by founding a nonprofit organization, The Brooke Ellison Project, which worked to further this cause.

Now Brooke Ellison is a PhD and an Associate Professor at Stony Brook University, focusing on Applied Medical Ethics, Health Policy, and Disability. As a result of her work, in 2011, Dr. Ellison was granted an honorary degree from Rutgers University, and, in 2014, was chosen to be a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. In 2017, Brooke was chosen to serve on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the New York Civil Liberties Union. In 2018, Brooke was chosen to be a Truman National Security Project Political Partner. In 2020, Brooke was appointed to serve as a commissioner on the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission.

In addition to her Associate Professor position at Stony Brook University, Brooke is Vice President of Technology and Innovation at the national nonprofit organization, the United Spinal Association, which provides services and resources to people with spinal injury and other wheelchair users. Through this position, Brooke brings members of the technology sector together with members of the disability community to innovate technology to improve quality of life.

In 2022, Brooke published her second book, Look Both Ways, which takes a deep and personal look at her life with disability and the lessons she has learned as a result of it.