Deborah Zelten is a senior level IT professional with more than 25 years of experience in leading, managing and directing IT projects.
She has worked for Ellipsis Partners for several years doing technology consulting. Prior to that she worked for a large trade association for almost 18 years. She also has broad IT experience in private industry and state government, as well as significant consulting experience for the federal government. She began her IT career working as a software developer, database designer, systems analyst, and business analyst.
As part of the Ellipsis Partners team, Deborah has been involved in several technology assessments, and many software system selection projects helping non-profit organizations select new Association Management Systems (AMS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, website Content Management Systems (CMS), Learning Management Systems (LMS), Financial Management (FMS), Human Resources (HR) systems, and Certification credentialing systems. These projects included requirements gathering, technology systems review and assessment, request for proposal (RFP) development, vendor management, proposal review, vendor demonstration oversight and final system selection, contract review, vendor transition, and implementation support.
Prior to joining Ellipsis Partners, Deborah was an IT Director for the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), where she led a team of internal IT staff professionals and external service providers managing enterprise-wide, mission critical association systems such as the Financial System; Association Management System; Content Management System; Political Action Committee (PAC) Management Donation, Pledging and Reporting System; Charitable Foundation Donor Management System; Human Resources; Legislative Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy; Timekeeping, and Expense Reporting systems. Major projects during her tenure at NADA included the selection and implementation of most all of these systems and others. Her role included managing the corporate IT product road maps while exploring emerging technologies and trends to meet the future needs of the association she served.
Debbie is an active volunteer and Facility Liaison for the Fairfax Pets on Wheels, Inc. (FPOW) organization. FPOW is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization of more than 150 volunteers providing pet visitation to residents of nursing home and assisted living facilities in Fairfax County, Virginia. For over 24 years, she and her Bouvier therapy dogs have been lessening the loneliness and isolation of nursing home residents and staff alike, by bringing smiles to their faces on their regular visits. She is also a Pet Therapy volunteer at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls, Michigan.
Debbie is an active person – she and her husband enjoy many outdoor activities with their dog(s) such as walking, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, camping, etc.
