Ellesse Balli’s journey with the Hinckley Institute may have begun late in her undergraduate experience, but its impact has been nothing short of transformative. A 2009 graduate of the University of Utah with a BA in English, Ellesse discovered the Hinckley Institute in her final semester and seized the opportunity to intern in Washington, D.C. with the Diplomatic Courier, a global affairs media company. Covering high-profile embassy events and immersing herself in international discourse, she quickly proved her value and was hired as the publication’s remote Art Director—a role that would shape her future as a creative leader.

Following her internship, Ellesse deepened her involvement with the Hinckley Institute, working as a Communications Specialist for five years. In this role, she presented at Harvard’s Institute of Politics, helped edit the Hinckley Journal of Politics, organized major campus and off-campus events, and taught the Forum Series class. She played a pivotal role in launching the inaugural HIP Talks, a university-wide public speaking competition. Through these experiences, she gained both professional skills and the confidence to navigate leadership roles.

One of her most memorable moments came when she was tasked with organizing a sold-out Hinckley Forum event featuring her favorite author, Malcolm Gladwell, at Abravanel Hall. When Gladwell’s microphone failed mid-speech, Ellesse sprang into action—army-crawling through the audience and sprinting backstage to resolve the issue. It’s a moment she still recalls when facing work challenges, a testament to the problem-solving mindset she developed at the Hinckley Institute.

Today, as the co-founder and CEO of a successful creative consultancy, Declarative, Ellesse credits the Hinckley Institute for catalyzing both her confidence and career. 

The Hinckley Institute transformed my life…I honestly don’t believe I would be where I am today without it.

Her story is a powerful reminder of the Institute’s resources to help students shape their futures, one meaningful opportunity after another.