Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.
- Golda Meir
The Founder
ELANA PARU
For over twenty-five years, Elana has been providing guidance, strategic management, and support to organizations and professionals to help them achieve their highest level of excellence to meet organizational goals. Professionalism, treating others with compassion, integrity, and respect are core values that characterize Elana’s work. Leading with kindness and transparency are central to her success.
Elana has applied her talent and experience in a variety of professional settings including synagogues, schools, and multiple national and local non-profit organizations. Elana has supervised, mentored, and coached clergy, executives, educators, and staff at all levels. Elana has also trained, advised, and collaborated with lay leaders and volunteers throughout her career.
Elana received her B.A. in Judaic Studies and Sociology at SUNY Albany. As a Wexner Foundation Graduate Fellow, Elana completed a dual Master’s degree program in Jewish Communal Service and Non-Profit Management at Brandeis University. Elana lives in Queens with her husband Michael Spevack and their daughter Noa.
Services Provided
How I Can Help
Organizational Consulting
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Workplace culture and employee engagement
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Onboarding and off-boarding strategies and action plans
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Customized resource guides and tools informed by best practices
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Program and project management
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Meeting structures, formats, and cadence
Coaching and Mentoring
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Maximize talent, impact, and performance
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Develop plan for career growth and advancement
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Navigate difficult conversations and conflicts
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Build strategic relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
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Brainstorm ideas and solutions
Staff Training and Development
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Supervisor and supervisee training
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Goal setting and tracking
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Time management
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Team building and collaboration
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Customizable workshops to meet organizational needs
The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be.
- Oprah Winfrey
Testimonials
What People are Saying
“Elana Paru has a passion for creating strong and healthy workplaces where employees thrive and feel engaged. We were fortunate to have her expertise in this area.”
Rabbi Angela Buchdahl
Central Synagogue
“Elana served as my mentor and professional coach at a time in my life when I most needed wise counsel and guidance to find the career path that was right for me. I firmly believe that were it not for her support, I would not be in the successful position I am today and have been for many years now. Elana’s passion for enabling me to find my own voice has continued to serve as an inspiration and blessing as I have developed on my professional journey.”
Cantor Michael Zoosman
National Institutes of Health
"Elana is extremely talented and posseses a wealth of knowledge. She is driven by developing talent, creating a culture of collegiality, and devising systems for excellence."
Penina Grossberg
Ruskay Institute
“Elana is a team builder, a mentor and a coach to staff members and team members alike. For more than 30 years I have known her to be a role model, rooted in principles and exemplified by her character and commitment to community.”
Doron Krakow
JCC Association of North America
“Her approach helped us transform the way that we supervise and provide feedback in our school. We have continued to call on Elana for her insight and counsel to help us think more deliberately about our school's culture, how we onboard new staff and how we help stakeholders work more productively.”
Lisa Samick
Temple Israel of NYC
"I've worked with Elana at multiple organizations and she is always the heart, soul, and north star. She knows how to maximize talent, identify strengths, and help you deploy them strategically. If you want to know how great you can be, as an individual or an organization, work with Elana."
Adam Karol
4Q Consulting