Eleanor Moran (Ellie) has been the Executive Director of WERC for 20 years, beginning as a Trainer/Facilitator and moving six months later into the position of Director. As the Center evolved into an independent not-for-profit, her role transitioned into that of E.D. She is also currently an Adjunct Professor at Herkimer County Community College in its Business and Technology Department. She currently serves on several academic boards/councils and has recently joined the Board of Directors of Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Central New York.

Her previous work experience has been as a secondary education teacher, adult education coordinator and instructor, and Director of Volunteer Services at a local nursing home.  Ellie has an M.S. in Business Management from SUNY-IT; a B.S. in Business/Marketing and Secondary Education from Utica College of Syracuse University; and an A.S. in Business from Mohawk Valley Community College. She has developed numerous workshops and seminars addressing various workforce and training issues: “The Impact of ‘Pink Collar’ Careers”; “Obstacles Facing Low Income Women”; “Occupational Segregation and Its Impact”; “Pay Inequality:  The Cost of Poor Benefits”; “Discrimination as it Affects Poor Women”, “Call Center/Customer Service Training”, “Managing Stress With Humor”; “Risk and Advancement”;  and the “Evolution of ‘APES” (Attitude, Perceptions, Expectations, and Sensitivity in nontraditional careers). 

Ellie has been recognized for her accomplishments by Mohawk Valley Community College – 2005 Alumnus of Merit Award; Metro BPW-Utica – Outstanding Woman of Achievement Award – 2005; ZONTA Club of Utica – Award for Advancement of the Status of Women – 2004.

Margaret Doane has recently been promoted to Intake/Employment Specialist.  She began working at the Center in July 2006 as Administrative Assistant.  Additionally, she assisted in the Computer Lab teaching EXCEL.  Her work with our program participants reflected her ability to assess and direct individuals to employment that was appropriate for both the employer and the job seeker.

Her previous work experience has been very diverse, lending itself to a broad view of employment opportunities.  She has worked in administrative support/customer relations/accounting positions at Ferris Industries and Lucas Aerospace Power Transmission, a Black Jack Dealer at the Turning Stone Casino, and in payroll at Norstar Bank.  Her “hands-on” insight has proven invaluable to her in her new role at the Center.

She has attended Mohawk Valley Community College, and the Utica School of Commerce with a focus on computer software applications and accounting.