Elise is a co-founder and principal in Be Philanthropy, a firm that advises philanthropic organizations. Prior to her consulting work, Elise was Vice President for Special Initiatives at The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, which was created by the co-founder of The Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons. The Foundation has granted more than $1 billion since it was launched in 1995. As one of the Foundation’s first two staff members, Elise led the trustees in developing the vision, direction and processes for the Foundation. Over a period of twelve years, she oversaw over $100 million of discretionary grantmaking for the trustees.

Prior to this, Elise was the Director of The America Project, an urban anti-poverty initiative undertaken by The Carter Center in the 1990s. 

Elise was the Founding President of Hands On Atlanta, a community service organization which places over 30,000 volunteers annually, and she now serves on its Advisory Board. Elise also serves as an Associate Director on the board of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. She is on the board of The Paideia School and the Agnes Scott College Board of Visitors.

Elise was President of the Atlanta chapter of The American Jewish Committee from 2003-2005 and has been an active board member with the organization.

Elise received her undergraduate degree in American Studies from Brandeis University and her Masters in Public and Private Management from Yale University. She and her husband, Bob Marcovitch, have two adult children.