Ellen Schwartz is an elementary teacher, community leader, author, and public speaker. As Founder of Project Give Back she links her decades of teaching together with her personal passion for charitable causes. She is dedicated to developing empathy, building character and igniting citizen minded young leaders. She co-founded Jacob’s Ladder, Canadian Foundation for the Control of Neurodegenerative Diseases, which raised millions of dollars towards research, education, awareness, and therapy into neurodegenerative illnesses.

Ellen has published three books. ‘Lessons from Jacob: A Disabled Son Teaches His Mother About Courage, Hope and the Joy of Living Life to the Fullest’, ‘Without One Word Spoken’, and The Puddle Jumper. Without One Word Spoken rated a National Best Seller by the Globe and Mail. Her newly released children’s book ‘The Puddle Jumper,’ was written together with her daughter Beverly.

Ellen was awarded a Queen’s Jubilee medal, the Meritorious Service Decoration by the Governor General of Canada, and a Canada 150 Exemplary Canadian medal.

Ellen lives in Toronto with her husband Jeff and children, Beverly 24, Ben 21 and Jacob who is forever 21.

When not teaching, Ellen can be found walking Toronto’s glorious trails with her furry best friend, Holland.