Leadership Seminar: Ellen Matloff

Each year, the Pitt GC students invite a leader in the genetic counseling field to speak with current students and give a seminar that addresses leadership for the department. This year, the class of 2019 invited Ellen Matloff, MS. Ellen has a number of roles within the field of genetic counseling, including writer, advocate, and entrepreneur. Some of our students shared their thoughts after Ellen’s visit.

I really enjoyed hearing from Ellen Matloff during her recent visit to Pitt! She was very candid about her experiences, from graduate school to starting her own company, and everything in between. Her discussion during breakfast with the students and her seminar presentation were insightful. She provided some excellent wisdom and words of encouragement about how to recognize our own strengths and self-worth as (future) genetic counselors, how to use these strengths to excel in a career that we can be proud of, and how we can help lead the charge towards the future of genetics and healthcare. In a field that’s constantly changing, Ellen is a true example of how to embrace the changes, while still staying true to yourself. -Alyson Evans

Ellen’s talk was very inspiring to witness.  She emphasized the importance of standing up for myself as a genetic counselor and to know my worth to any hospital, lab, or company I decide to work for in the future.  Through her story, Ellen showed that the road to “success” isn’t always a straight path, but if you work hard and aren’t afraid to take risks, you can get where you want to be.  She made me even more excited to join a field of strong, accomplished individuals. -Christine Drogan

I am definitely going to be more active on Twitter™ now. Ellen encouraged us to support our peers and advocate for our field in a world dominated by social media. Her energy and wisdom regarding business, self-worth, and adaptation has truly inspired me to take a more focused look at myself. I can now better determine what I need from my future career and I now have the tools to meet those needs. In Ellen’s words, “Here’s your machete. I’ll see you in the woods.” -Andrew Fazenbaker

The opportunity to meet Ellen was definitely an unforgettable one! She is an inspirational woman and genetic counselor and her willingness to openly share her experiences was quite meaningful for us as students. She is honest about the fact that not every step of the way will be without challenges, but showed that remaining strong and standing up for what you believe in will pay off. -Stephanie Betts

Ellen Matloff and Pitt GC classes of 2019 and 2020

Ellen’s talk and our breakfast with her were very inspirational. I was particularly impressed by her role as a plaintiff in the court case to determine whether Myriad was allowed to patent the BRCA genes. It seems obvious that patenting of genes should not be permitted, but this was not always the common opinion in the genetics community. Ellen’s determination to stand up for what she knew was right, despite pushback from colleagues, is something that will stick with me as I begin my career. -Claire McDonald

Having the opportunity to meet Ellen and hear about her journey as a genetic counselor was quite refreshing. She spoke honestly and candidly about her experiences, from serving as a plaintiff on the Myriad BRCA patent case to starting her own business helping patients understand and stay updated on their genetic test results. She has accomplished many things throughout her career and made sure we heard the trials and tribulations she conquered. She empowered us to stand up for ourselves as genetics professionals, to know our self-worth, and to not be afraid to pave new paths. Ellen’s talk has made me even more excited to join this incredible field! -Rachel Sutton

First and foremost, thank you to Ellen for accepting our invitation to speak. As second-year students entering our final semester, we are really in the thick of our degrees. Being able to have a private breakfast with our classmates and Ellen was wonderful. Her candor and story-telling ability was greatly appreciated by everyone in attendance. She was a breath of fresh air. By speaking honestly about her experiences in the field and showing genuine interest in our experiences, she made us feel welcome. She demonstrated that genetic counselors need not be fixed in a singular niche. Our reach is robust, and we now have the invitation to crash whatever party we need to! -Samantha Afonso

It was truly a pleasure to have had the opportunity to listen to Ellen speak. She is not only an inspirational figure for genetic counselors, but also for anyone looking to step outside the box and forge a new path despite the odds. It was particularly inspiring to hear about how she took a stand for herself while working at her previous institution, creating a voice for herself and genetic counselors alike. Her strength and persistence is truly something to be admired not only as a woman but as a genetic counselor and person. Thank you so much Ellen! -Ashley Lahr

It was incredible to have the opportunity to have breakfast and a seminar with Ellen Matloff. She is truly a trailblazer in the genetic counseling community. She did not sacrifice her values, even when she had an unpopular opinion. She fought for what she believed in and what was right until she could see it through...and won! I am inspired by her journey and will carry it with me into the challenges I will face as a genetic counselor in a rapidly-changing field. She was also such a positive and encouraging person, and I am so grateful she was willing to spend the day with us! -Rebecca Clark

It was such a great experience to have Ellen speak. She is someone that I’ve been following on social media and have been a big fan of her writing and so to have her come speak was a real treat. I found her personal journey to be inspiring and it really made me think of all the ways that I could make a positive impact on the world while utilizing the skills that I’ve gained in a genetic counseling program. What a wonderful example of how to really use all the skills we have, and realize some outside of the traditional realm of genetic counseling. I’ve even been inspired to put my voice out there when people inquire about genetics! -Natasha Robin Berman

I greatly enjoyed talking with Ellen and hearing her speak. Her experience of being a plaintiff on a pivotal supreme court case and creating a business to fill in the gaps of genetic counseling services was such an inspiration to me. Her words challenged us to go beyond the traditional scope of genetic counseling and advocate for our field. As I am approaching graduation, Ellen is someone who I aspire to embody as I grow as a genetic counselor. -Megan Hoenig