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Ellen Ryder, the former owner of a Manhattan-based communications
firm, has been appointed the new director of public affairs
for Holy Cross, succeeding Kathy McNamara ’81.
“We are all delighted to welcome Ellen Ryder to Holy Cross,” says
Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., president of the College. “As
the daughter and sister of alumni, she understands our mission and
our goals, and her vast experience will enable her to articulate both
to the wider world. Moreover, she is intelligent and well-educated,
with broad experience in publishing and public relations. Ellen will
be a major asset to the College.”
Ryder worked for 10 years as the founder and owner of Ellen Ryder
Communications, LLC, a full-service public relations firm in New York
City. Specializing in the representation of publishers, authors, artists
and educational programs, her company had as clients Harper’s
Magazine, the American Society of Magazine Editors, Scientific American
and the National Book Foundation/National Book Awards.
Prior to founding the company in 1994, Ryder worked in publicity
and promotion management positions at consumer magazines. She established
the in-house publicity department at GQ magazine (1992-94), directing
press coverage, special events and media relations. From 1989-92,
she served as vice president, corporate and public affairs at Harper's
Magazine, handling all editorial publicity and sales promotion. She
began her career in magazines as promotion director at the award-winning
regional magazine, New England Monthly, (1984-89).
“This is an exemplary pairing,” says Frank Vellaccio,
the College’s senior vice president. “Ellen has an extensive
and diverse background that includes journalism, media relations,
marketing and management. We’re all quite excited about her
strategies for publicizing the extraordinary work being done by remarkable
people on Mount St. James.”
Co-author, with Charles P. Daly and Patrick Henry, of The Magazine
Publishing Industry (Allyn & Bacon, 1996), Ryder has conducted
seminars sponsored by the Magazine Publishers of America and the Council
for Literary Magazines and Presses and has lectured at the publishing
programs at Columbia, Radcliffe, Rice University, Fordham University
and the University of Chicago. She has also served as an adjunct faculty
member at New York University.
“I’m thrilled and privileged to have this opportunity
to work with the community of students, faculty, staff and alumni
at Holy Cross,” Ryder says. “The College has stories of
success and achievement unfolding on campus every day, as well as
a rich history and a magnificent liberal arts tradition. I’m
looking forward to building on the College’s strong communications
program and telling those stories to an ever-wider audience.”
Ryder earned her master’s degree in journalism from the Medill
School of Journalism at Northwestern University and her bachelor’s
degree in English literature from Wellesley College. She is a native
of Worcester, Mass.
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