Keri Ellis

Keri Ellis is an audit managing director at Deloitte, where she performs audits on both public and private company engagements. She’s worked with Deloitte for the last 22 years, and calls Upper St. Clair home with her husband, 12-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son.

What is your favorite part about your job?
The people. Every year there’s a new group of people who come in, and it’s a fresh wave of energy. It helps to keep me young.

What are some of your favorite things to do outside of work?
My two kids are involved in a lot of sports and activities, like baseball, and that takes up most of my time.

Where has been your favorite place to travel?
Disney! We go to Disney World every year and have for the last 10 years. My husband and I love it, and the kids love it. We go during fall break and it’s a great time to go because it’s not very crowded, the weather is still nice but it’s not super hot, and the lines are way better! Every year we say it’s going to be our last year and then every year we go again.

Is there any aspect of the summer that you really look forward to?
Going on vacation. We usually go to Myrtle Beach in August to visit my dad. We love the family time and just spending time at the beach. My husband and son golf with my dad, and the rest of the time we’re at the pool, at the beach, or enjoying a dinner out together. We also do a very big block party in August before the kids go back to school to mark the end of summer. That’s always really fun, too.

Why do you think it’s so important to give back to the community?
I think it’s just necessary — it’s a really fun thing to do, and it’s a great way to meet other people in your area. I’m part of the Bridges Society and being involved in that group allows me to interact with a similar demographic of young professionals and opens up so many opportunities to get involved, help the community, and network with other people who have similar interests.

Why United Way?
At Deloitte, we’re very committed to United Way and are one of the biggest corporate sponsors. We’ve always given to United Way as a firm, and it’s been an easy extension to get more involved in their programs.

What is your favorite United Way memory?
My favorite recent memory with United Way was the Hoodies for the Holidays event. It was a very unique way to get everyone together. We all brought in hoodies from our favorite colleges and wrapped the sweatshirts when we were there for United Way to distribute to students in United Way’s Be a Middle School Mentor program to encourage them to keep striving for a good education and future. It’s amazing to see how many people came out and donated hoodies.

What are you most passionate about when it comes to your charitable efforts?
I’m most passionate about using the gifts I’ve been given to give back to the community — specifically in Pittsburgh because that’s where I’ve lived and worked my whole life. It’s important to me that I’m able to give back for all the blessings that I have.