Company: Ellie Mental Health, St. Paul, MN
Nomination Submitted by: Jill Schmidt PR
Company Description: Ellie Mental Health is a millennial-made and female clinician owned and led mental health care company that is rapidly expanding across the nation through franchising. The brand is transforming the culture of mental healthcare by providing creative solutions and innovative thinking to reduce barriers in accessing mental health services. https://www.elliementalhealth.com/
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Most Innovative Woman of the Year - Franchising
 Nomination Title: Erin Pash
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2021 of the nominated woman, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below:
- Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 181 words used.
Erin Pash began blazing a new trail in the mental health industry in 2015, when she saw an urgent need to destigmatize mental health care and make it more accessible. A licensed therapist with a successful career in treating patients, she saw firsthand the mountain of barriers and stigma preventing people from accessing and receiving the mental health care they needed. She founded her first clinic, Ellie Family Services, in 2015 to provide a solution. Rooted in the values of Creativity, Authenticity, Humor, Compassion, Acceptance and Determination, Ellie combines modern innovation with a fresh perspective and approach that the age-old industry desperately needed, along with a message that normalizes mental health care. Now, Ellie Mental Health, the company is growing through a franchise model that brings Ellie to everyone, which is highly unique in the market. Ellie has 24 corporate locations in Minnesota and over 130 franchises across the country, with another 500 locations coming. Ellie has also created a world class culture in its clinics and a workplace that has helped attract top-tier industry talent to the people Ellie serves.
- Outline the nominee's achievements since July 1 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 184 words used.
Erin’s mission with Ellie is to transform the culture of mental health. It began with building corporately owned Ellie clinics in Minnesota. The clinics leveraged new high tech innovation and modern, comfortable and inviting care environments previously unseen in mental health. Treatments included common mental health services along with new approaches. Erin began exploring the idea of franchising as a path to further the goal and accelerating Elle’s growth. In July 2022, the company opened its first franchise location and reached 100 franchise locations in July 2023. It brought the total number of Ellie clinics in operation to over 155 to date, with another over 500 in development. The brand has delivered over 200,000 hours of creative, meaningful mental health services provided by Ellie clinicians in the communities Ellie currently serves. Additionally, Ellie has over doubled the number of executive leaders at the company. Erin has grown Ellie into one of the largest Mental Health Outpatient organizations in the United States. She’s also become a rising thought leader and speaker in the industry, helping to change stigma and drive change in mental health.
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 123 words used.
Ellie is currently one of the only viable franchise opportunities for entrepreneurs interested in mental health, with phenomenal franchise interest. It is also among the few mental healthcare providers currently bringing modern technology and unique clinical environments to patients, including offering in-person, virtual and in-home care options. Traditional mental health care providers have commonly been slow to implement new approaches, creativity and innovation into their mental health services and care environments. While most competitors experiencing growth have chosen an merger and acquisition (M&A) model to succeed, Ellie intentionally chose franchising to achieve its business growth and goals. The franchise model also allows Ellie to maintain ties to local communities, while enabling the company and its bold concept to reach people across the country.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 52 words used.
Ellie has been featured in dozens of media articles for its unique and innovative approach: https://elliementalhealth.com/ellie-news/. It celebrated its 100th location in 2023 with hundreds of thousands of sessions with patients totaling over 200,000 hours of care provided to patients throughout the United States: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLapIx5nHxA
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