Fernando Martin-Gullans

Fernando Ellis is the co-founder of Ellis Impact, where he helps philanthropists maximize their social impact through evidence-based giving strategies. After a career as a professional ballet dancer with companies like the Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera, Fernando recognized an opportunity to revolutionize philanthropic giving by bridging the gap between passionate philanthropists and world-class research organizations.

In 2023, Fernando established Artists of Impact, a global network uniting influential artists dedicated to creating meaningful social change. His vision of combining artistic influence with strategic philanthropy caught the attention of Ambitious Impact, who selected him as one of twelve participants (from 850 applicants) for their prestigious EGI Incubation Program in 2024. Through this program, Ellis Impact was born.

At Ellis Impact, Fernando guides major donors beyond conventional metrics to identify opportunities that create genuine, measurable change. His organization leverages research from leading impact-focused evaluators to direct resources toward severely underfunded yet highly effective interventions. By combining rigorous analysis with the transformative power of creativity, Fernando helps philanthropists tackle large-scale problems through both proven and innovative solutions.