Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.
- Golda Meir
The Founder
ELANA PARU
For nearly 30 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
Case Studies
Recent Projects
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
"I’m proud to say our organization is regularly enhanced by Elana’s skills and insights, and we turn to her wisdom when facing challenges and when looking to harness new opportunities."
Rabbi Ben Spratt
Congregation Rodeph Sholom
“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 held up a mirror for me at an angle I couldn’t reach by myself. Her support, wisdom, and guidance helped me access the answers she assured me were inside me all along.”
Rabbi Karen Strok
Jewish Ritual Reimagined
“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 the City of New York
Early Childhood Learning Center
"Elana listens deeply to our goals, and then crafts experiences, coaching conversations, and training sessions that enhance the effectiveness of our team members, policies, and systems."
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal
Rabbinical Assembly
"We asked Elana to develop and facilitate a year-long management training program. This program has been instrumental in enhancing the skills and confidence of our current and future managers."
Karen Eichner & Christine Nowinski
Trusted Nurse Staffing