Ellen C. Ham – Women Worth Watching®

Education

JD with honors, University of Florida College of Law; BA with honors, University of Florida

Company

Republic Airways

Industry

Transportation

Headquarters

Indianapolis, Indiana

Interests

Reading, WW II history, and travel

My Philosophy

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” –Theodore Roosevelt, The Man in the Arena

What I'm Reading

Finding Meaning: The Sixth State of Grief by David Kessler; A Radical Awakening by Dr. Shefali; Irena’s War by James D. Shipman

First Job

At age 16, I worked at a local grocery store (Value King) nights and weekends.

Favorite Charities

Tapestri, whose mission is to end violence and oppression in immigrant and refugee communities

We All Have a Responsibility to Pay it Forward

I am passionate about meeting the responsibility we have to pay it forward—to make a difference in the lives and careers of others.

What I have achieved in my professional life is due in part to my own hard work. But overwhelmingly, it is due to the kindness and compassion of others willing to mentor me, vouch for me, and allow me a seat at the table. It is also due in great part to my parents—their love, support, and belief that I could do whatever I set my mind to.

A few years into my legal career, the events of September 11, 2001 occurred. At that time, I was a young associate working at a Miami-based firm. The feelings following that tragic day were fear and uncertainty. But I knew that as long as I could take care of myself, I would be okay, and that life in the United States would go on. And, it did.

I became a non-equity partner in seven years. Three years later, I became an equity partner. I had made it. But, I started to look outside myself; it was not just me anymore. I helped support my mother and I had associates who depended on me. I started to focus on mentoring and supporting associates and younger partners.

Then, in March 2020, the pandemic hit. And this time, I had others to consider. What would happen to those I had mentored and to the new attorneys? I knew what we had to do: put one foot in front of the other; go to work each day or work from home; communicate often; and support each other. We banded together even while apart. Just like before, life would go on. And, it has.

Ellen C. Ham • Republic Airways

Director of Labor Relations

2021 Award Winner