Ellen Seidman is a Senior Research Fellow in the Asset Building Program of the New America Foundation.  In this capacity, she provides national leadership on public policy issues related to expanding access to wealth-building financial services, especially for low- and moderate-income families; improving financial education; forging a new responsibility framework for consumer financial services in 21^st century; and helping Americans to better manage their debt. A major focus of Ms. Seidman's work is developing an innovative, forward looking policy framework to encourage greater responsibility and accountability in the delivery of financial services to low-, moderate- and middle-income Americans.

In addition to her work at New America, Ms. Seidman continues to serve as Executive Vice President, National Policy and Partnership Development at ShoreBank Corporation, the nation's first and leading community development and environmental banking corporation. She also serves as Chair of the Center for Financial Services Innovation, a ShoreBank nonprofit affiliate that helps financial services providers responsibly and sustainably serve underbanked consumers. Before joining ShoreBank, Ms. Seidman served as Senior Counsel to the Democratic staff of the Financial Services Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. From 1997 to 2001, she was Director of the U.S Treasury Department's Office of Thrift Supervision, heading the 1,200 person bureau responsible for regulating more than 1,000 savings associations around the United States. She was also a director of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Chairman of the Board of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. From 1993 to 1997, Ms. Seidman served as Special Assistant for Economic Policy to President Clinton. She has also held senior positions at Fannie Mae, the United States Treasury Department, and the United States Department of Transportation. She holds a bachelor's degree from Radcliffe College, a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, and an MBA in finance and investments from George Washington University.