Elissa leads the philanthropy program at Geelong Grammar School as Head of Advancement and Executive Director of the Geelong Grammar Foundation.

She has spent her career before this in University Advancement and the charitable sector, with experience in philanthropy, alumni engagement and advancement operations. Elissa relocated from Sydney in 2016 to join the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne, following roles with Western Sydney University and the University of Wollongong.