In memory of Joe Ellis

Born in Watertown, New York in the United States, Joe was a passionate birder and brought that passion to serving as a volunteer leader for BirdLife and our US national Partner, National Audubon Society.

He is remembered for raising BirdLife’s sights and ambition and bringing his exceptional analytical skills from his long success as a partner at the investment firm Goldman Sachs to strengthening BirdLife’s brand.

As a top-ranked global retail analyst on Wall Street, he had deep insights into the power of good brands and offered them with clarity and confidence to BirdLife as a highly valued member of our Advisory Group. John Adams, Co-Chair of the Advisory Group offers this reflection:

“Joe Ellis was a person that lives large in the memories of all who knew him. The Birdlife Community knows Joe as a passionate conservationist and observant birder. His manner in the Birdlife Global Advisory Council was quiet and thoughtful. However, this was balanced by a ribald sense of humour and a penchant for incisive thinking. When Joe entered the conversation, he had something to say.

“At Birdlife, Joe was generous with his time, even when illness was challenging, and with his contributions. He was one of the small group at the strategic planning retreat in 2018 that recommended elevating the Global Flyways Initiative to be a major strategic and fundraising theme for Birdlife International. This has helped catapult Birdlife into a new era, where large institutional investors and a growing global membership have coalesced to prevent extinctions and support wild birds across their flyways all around the world.

“With his kind and humorous manner, Joe was known to us after an interesting career. He co-founded Blue Tulip, the gift and stationary store chain in 2001 and served as Chairman. Joe is best known to many as the author of Ahead of the Curve, published by Harvard Business School press in 2005. It’s perhaps the only book about forecasting economic and business cycles accessible to regular human beings.

“Joe had a long career with Goldman Sachs, beginning in 1970. He was one of the most-read analysts on Wall Street, earning Institutional Investor’s ranking as the No.1 retail analyst on wall street eighteen years in a row. At Goldman Sachs, he was a General Partner from 1986 to his retirement in 1994. Not bad, Joe! He seemed humble to us, but earned a place in history.

“Since his retirement, Joe threw himself into conservation activities. He served on the Board of Trustees of The New York State Nature Conservancy and the Board of RARE. He was active as a patron and member of the Governing Council of the Wilderness Society, was on the President’s Council of World Wildlife Fund and served on the Audubon Society’s national Board of Directors. He earned your place in conservation history.

“More than the accolades for a remarkable career, the tireless board service and his many contributions to the greater good, we will miss Joe Ellis simply for being Joe. He has left a large group of family and friends shaking their heads, thinking ‘how did you accomplish so much, and become so well loved?’ Let’s all take a moment to honour one of the greats.”

Patricia Zurita, BirdLife’s former CEO, worked closely with Joe during her tenure. She said: “I’m very saddened by the news of Joe’s passing. He was an incredible human being who loved birds and nature and truly believed in BirdLife International’s unique role. I fondly remember him always saying ‘If BirdLife International didn’t exist, someone would have to create it’. Joe was incredibly generous, not only supporting BirdLife financially when we most needed it, but taking the time to work with us on our website re-design or the messaging of our 100th anniversary.

An avid collector of miniature bird carvings, Joe was proud to show me his new acquisitions every time I saw him in his safe haven of West Cornwall, Connecticut. I’m always going to warmly cherish the many memories of our conversations, meetings and coaching sessions.”

Elizabeth Gray, CEO of our national Partner Audubon, said: “Joe Ellis was an advisor, friend, and valued thought partner whose impact on Audubon was transformative. I valued every conversation with Joe. He brought clarity, insight, and a steady ability to get to the heart of an issue.

“Through his service as a Board Director and alumnus, he made a lasting contribution to our work and played a critical role in advancing our conservation efforts. He helped bring the vision behind our Migratory Bird Initiative to life and pushed us to raise our sights on what we could accomplish.

“Joe combined sharp strategic thinking with genuine warmth and curiosity. He cared deeply about the work and even more about the people doing it. His influence will continue to be felt across Audubon, and he will be deeply missed.”

Martin Harper, BirdLife CEO, last saw Joe at his Connecticut home in May 2025. He shares a fond memory of the visit: “We’d had a very lively debate over lunch about how BirdLife International should grow and develop. As ever, he was challenging yet supportive and almost certainly correct.

“Before I left, I asked him for his advice about where I might see my first Cerulean Warbler – Joe’s favourite warbler. Joe very kindly drew me a map in pencil. He said ‘go left towards Kent, right over the bridge, first right and staying right drive a couple of miles down the track then get out and walk and you’ll find one.’

“So, on leaving I drove to Kent, went over the bridge, turned right, stayed right for a couple of miles then jumped out and started looking. Amazingly, two Cerulean Warblers appeared mid-canopy just next to the track. A fabulous moment and I shall keep Joe’s map forever.

“He was a huge ally of the conservation community and, as a member of our Advisory Group, was a steadfast supporter of the whole BirdLife community including, of course, National Audubon Society. He will be sorely missed, but we shall continue to do what we can to ensure the birds that Joe loved thrive.”

Joe is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara Izenstein Ellis, and his children, Jonathan (Jennifer) and Claire (Chad), and grandchildren Lou, Sammy, JJ, and Henry, as well as his sister, Abby Angell.

The entire BirdLife flock sends our condolences and thoughts to Joe’s friends and family.

Joseph ‘Joe’ H Ellis, 1942-2026.