If you’ve ever read an Ellis newsletter story or team member profile, you’ve already met Kate. A versatile writer, she and Tom both earned their Ph.D.s in English from the University of Michigan. In 2019, Kate was introduced to Ellis by CEO Lauren Cook. The two had first met a decade earlier as regular early birds at a local gym.  ​ When Lauren joined Ellis in 2018, she felt Kate might also be moved by Ellis. She invited Kate to lend her writing expertise to Ellis's newsletters and annual reports. Kate was deeply inspired by what she learned through her writing. As Tom also came to know the organization, he was moved by the same mission and vision.  ​​ As Kate interviewed parents, teachers, and staff, she uncovered dozens of remarkable stories that revealed what makes Ellis unique. “At first, I got involved because I admired Lauren,” she says. “But I stayed because Ellis was extraordinary.” The first time they attended an Ellis benefit together, Tom, hearing these stories and witnessing the community alongside Kate, became emotionally invested as well.  ​Over time, the Kushes became a trusted part of the Ellis community. This summer, Kate joined the Board of Directors, as she and Tom deepened their commitment to the mission.  ​“We have been on a long journey together as Kate and Tom got to know us and the early education sector,” said Ellis CEO Lauren Cook, “I was so honored that Kate felt she was ready to join the Board of Directors.”  ​Through their involvement, the Kushes have seen Ellis’s distinct impact: from the waitlists that prioritize children in greatest need, to the Jamaica Plain location where a 60% Spanish-speaking school body reflects the vibrancy of the neighborhood. One memory still makes Kate smile: “When I told my South End hairdresser about Ellis, she knew the school right away. She said, ‘When I walk by, I see parents and children from different walks of life, all carrying themselves with the same self-confidence and dignity. There’s some kind of magic that happens inside there.’” That sense of magic and belonging inspired Kate and Tom to take their commitment further. Together, they chose to name Ellis in their estate plan.  ​“For a long time, I was reluctant,” Kate admits. “Charities would ask, but I thought I was too young, or that my future was too uncertain. The process seemed complicated, and I wasn’t ready to change my will in this way.”  ​After attending webinars through the University of Michigan and Fidelity, she realized how straightforward the process could be. Naming Ellis as a beneficiary of her retirement accounts was as simple as specifying a percentage of assets in an online form.   ​“That flexibility made it feel possible,” she says.  ​For both Kate and Tom, the decision was deeply personal. They share the belief that education is life-changing, and that Ellis opens doors of opportunity for children and families. Building on this commitment, Kate helped launch the Ellis 1885 Society, creating a way for others to make meaningful legacy gifts that will leave a lasting impact on the early education sector and on Boston’s children and families.  ​“We are so grateful that the Kushes are willing to stand as advocates for early education,” says Lauren.  ​“The thought of being able to support Ellis with a final gift after my death, to continue this work, is very positive for me,” Kate says.  ​For Kate and Tom, naming Ellis in their estate plan is the fullest expression of their shared resolution to live well and do good.