Ellen Petry Leanse (born Ellen Petry August 12, 1958) is an American author, businesswoman, educator, entrepreneur, and online community pioneer. Leanse has spent 35 years working with leaders at Apple, Google, Facebook, as an entrepreneur, and with dozens of startups. She's a writer on topics of workplace dynamics and a Stanford instructor. Her work has spanned entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, investing, and strategy consulting.
An alum of
Apple
An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus domestica''). Apple trees are cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus '' Malus''. The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancest ...
(1981 – 1990), she launched the company's first online activity through the
User Group Connection, an initiative she founded at Apple in 1985.
She was employed by
Google
Google LLC () is an American Multinational corporation, multinational technology company focusing on Search Engine, search engine technology, online advertising, cloud computing, software, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, ar ...
from 2008 through 2010 and created a social list-making ap
Lists by 222dofor the initial launch of the
Facebook development platform (2007).
In 2015,
Business Insider
''Insider'', previously named ''Business Insider'' (''BI''), is an American financial and business news website founded in 2007. Since 2015, a majority stake in ''Business Insider''s parent company Insider Inc. has been owned by the German publ ...
published her
LinkedIn
LinkedIn () is an American business and employment-oriented online service that operates via websites and mobile apps. Launched on May 5, 2003, the platform is primarily used for professional networking and career development, and allows job se ...
article about the word "just" and its use across genders.
The post received more than three million views. It was originally published via
Women 2.0,
an organization she advised from 2012 through 2016.
She spoke on "Happiness by Design" at TEDx Berkeley in 2016.
Leanse is an instructor at
Stanford University
Stanford University, officially Leland Stanford Junior University, is a private research university in Stanford, California. The campus occupies , among the largest in the United States, and enrolls over 17,000 students. Stanford is conside ...
and teaches through the university's Continuing Studies program.
Leanse is a contributing writer to
Arianna Huffington
Arianna Stassinopoulos Huffington (née Ariadnē-Anna Stasinopoúlou, el, Αριάδνη-Άννα Στασινοπούλου ; born July 15, 1950) is a Greek-American author, syndicated columnist and businesswoman. She is a co-founder of '' Th ...
's Thrive Global platform.
Early life
Leanse was born in
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton () is the List of cities in Ohio, sixth-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, Ohio, Montgomery County. A small part of the city extends into Greene County, Ohio, Greene County. The 2020 United S ...
,
and raised in the
Fairglen neighborhood of
San Jose, CA
San Jose, officially San José (; ; ), is a major city in the U.S. state of California that is the cultural, financial, and political center of Silicon Valley and largest city in Northern California by both population and area. With a 2020 po ...
. Her father, John Gerald Petry, was a WWII veteran and mechanical engineer who held several patents for automotive lift technology. Her mother, Kathleen Minch Petry, was a secretary and hospital administrator.
She graduated from
Presentation High School
Presentation High School is a private, Catholic, college preparatory school for girls established in 1962. It is owned and run by the Sisters of the Presentation, and operates within the Diocese of San Jose in California. The school is located i ...
in 1976 and was named a Bank of America Bicentennial Scholar and was also a National Merit Scholar. She studied art and international business and graduated from
San Diego State University
San Diego State University (SDSU) is a public research university in San Diego, California. Founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, it is the third-oldest university and southernmost in the 23-member California State University (CSU) system ...
with a BA in International Marketing in 1981.
Shortly after graduating she was in a serious bicycle accident and returned to San Jose to recover at her parents' home. It was at that time that she applied to Apple and received a rejection letter, which she challenged. She was hired in November 1981 and wrote about the experience in a 201
articleabout the Apple logo and its impact.
Her first job at Apple was as an International Communications Specialist in the Intercontinental division, which distributed and promoted Apple products, primarily the Apple II and Apple III and related accessories, everywhere in the world except for the US and Europe. She launched Apple's first formal product communications (they were newsletters) to these regions and introduced Spanish language versions of these communications in 1986. She also did product launches in the markets they served.
She joined the extended Macintosh team in 1983 as Product Manager for international Macintosh accessories, including local-language keyboards, CCITT and CSA modems, regionally-compliant printers, and power supplies.
In 1985 she was asked to interview for a role as Apple's first “User Evangelist” – a response to frustration in the Apple II installed base that Apple had abandoned, its earliest and most faithful users as it began to focus increasingly on the Macintosh. John Sculley served as a sponsor for this position and she accepted the role in September 1985.
Technology career
Apple
![1988 User Group Advisory Council](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/1988_User_Group_Advisory_Council.jpg)
In her nine years at Apple Leanse served on the Macintosh launch team (1984) and led the company's pioneering work in creating online communities. Leanse became an Apple employee in November 1981 and became Apple's first User Evangelist in September 1985.
The User Group track she established at
MacWorld conferences brought Apple product leaders including
Bill Atkinson
Bill Atkinson (born March 17, 1951) is an American computer engineer and photographer. Atkinson worked at Apple Computer from 1978 to 1990.
Atkinson was the principal designer and developer of the graphical user interface (GUI) of the Apple ...
,
Alan Kay,
Guy Kawasaki
Guy Kawasaki (born August 30, 1954) is an American marketing specialist, author, and Silicon Valley venture capitalist. He was one of the Apple employees originally responsible for marketing their Macintosh computer line in 1984. He populariz ...
together with users to exchange information on product priorities and direction.
Leanse led and grew this organization through 1990, when she left Apple.
Her charter was to address the frustration directed at Apple from the Apple II and Apple III installed base - individuals, business people, government officials and education leaders from around the world who had come to feel abandoned by Apple as it turned its attention to the Macintosh.
![Apple User Group Connection Mug](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/Apple_User_Group_Connection_Mug.jpg)
In 1985 Leanse became Apple's first “User Evangelist,” charged to forge relationships with Apple's growing, and increasingly divided, Apple II/Apple III and Macintosh installed base. Her early work connected her with technology influencers including
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research.
NASA was established in 1958, succeedin ...
’s
David Lavery
David Lavery (August 27, 1949 – August 30, 2016) was an American linguist and professor of English at Middle Tennessee State University who specialized in studying pop culture, especially television. From 2006 to 2008 he served as Chair in Film ...
, the
Boston Computer Society The Boston Computer Society (BCS) was an organization of personal computer users, based in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., that ran from 1977 to 1996. At one point, it was the largest such group in the world, with regular user group meetings, many pub ...
’s
Jonathan Rotenberg
Jonathan Rotenberg (born April 29, 1963) is an executive coach, management consultant, and author. In 1977, he cofounded The Boston Computer Society, which became the world's largest personal computer user organization. He is currently writin ...
, and the
Berkeley Macintosh User Group’s Raines Cohen and Reese Jones.
Forming Apple’s User Group Connection, Leanse established the first online interaction between Apple and its users in November 1985. This work leveraged existing networks including
Usenet
Usenet () is a worldwide distributed discussion system available on computers. It was developed from the general-purpose Unix-to-Unix Copy (UUCP) dial-up network architecture. Tom Truscott and Jim Ellis conceived the idea in 1979, and it wa ...
Arpanet/Darpanet,
The Well
The Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, normally shortened to The WELL, was launched in 1985. It is one of the oldest continuously operating virtual communities. By 1993 it had 7,000 members, a staff of 12, and gross annual income of $2 million. ...
, and private
Bulletin Board Systems
A bulletin board system (BBS), also called computer bulletin board service (CBBS), is a computer server running software that allows users to connect to the system using a terminal program. Once logged in, the user can perform functions such a ...
to bring product updates, live interviews, software updates, and other resources with Apple communities worldwide. Active participants included NASA’s David Lavery, the Boston Computer Society’s Jonathan Rotenberg, and the Berkeley Macintosh User Group’s Raines Cohen and Reese Jones.
The User Group track she established at MacWorld conferences brought Apple product leaders including Bill Atkinson, Alan Kay, Guy Kawasaki together with users to exchange information on product priorities and direction.
Eighteen months after the release of the Macintosh, owners of Apple II and Apple III personal computers expressed frustration with the limited development of new features for these products. Seeking a commitment to ongoing support of utilities and software, users contacted Apple, published complaints in computer publications, and spoke out at public events such as MacWorld and other trade shows to ask for a future path. Furthermore, as Macintosh users sought more direct means of learning about innovations and capabilities of the Mac and its software (in 1985, standards for customer support depended primarily on written/mailed correspondence) Macintosh users began to ask Apple and software providers for faster access to technical and usability information, as well as upgrades. Apple CEO
John Sculley
John Sculley III (born April 6, 1939) is an American businessman, entrepreneur and investor in high-tech startups. Sculley was vice-president (1970–1977) and president of PepsiCo (1977–1983), until he became chief executive officer (CEO) ...
responded by creating a position for a "User Group Evangelist" charged with realigning Apple with its active user community through communication and identification of mutually-beneficial product development.
In September 1985, Apple established the Apple User Group Connection, led by Leanse, in response to input from users in community User Groups including
Boston Computer Society The Boston Computer Society (BCS) was an organization of personal computer users, based in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., that ran from 1977 to 1996. At one point, it was the largest such group in the world, with regular user group meetings, many pub ...
and
Berkeley Macintosh Users Group
The Berkeley Macintosh Users Group, or more commonly "BMUG", was the largest Macintosh User Group. It was founded in September 1984 by a group of UC Berkeley students including Reese Jones and Raines Cohen as a focal-point for the nascent Apple ...
, along with user communities within educational, science, and business organizations.
AUGC was formed in response to concerns from users in community user groups that, with the release of the
Macintosh
The Mac (known as Macintosh until 1999) is a family of personal computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc. Macs are known for their ease of use and minimalist designs, and are popular among students, creative professionals, and software en ...
, development for existing
Apple II and
Apple III
The Apple III (styled as apple ///) is a business-oriented personal computer produced by Apple Computer and released in 1980. Running the Apple SOS operating system, it was intended as the successor to the Apple II series, but was largely consi ...
computers were compromised. The idea was for Apple to share information with its user community directly, rather than through the more traditional support and distribution channels.
The organization successfully encouraged Apple to pursue early internet technology such as
bulletin board systems and
ARPANET
The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) was the first wide-area packet-switched network with distributed control and one of the first networks to implement the TCP/IP protocol suite. Both technologies became the technical fou ...
. Leanse's work in the UGC guided her to establish Apple's first connection with users via the early roots of the web –
ARPANET
The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) was the first wide-area packet-switched network with distributed control and one of the first networks to implement the TCP/IP protocol suite. Both technologies became the technical fou ...
,
The WELL
The Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, normally shortened to The WELL, was launched in 1985. It is one of the oldest continuously operating virtual communities. By 1993 it had 7,000 members, a staff of 12, and gross annual income of $2 million. ...
,
Bulletin board systems, etc. It was groundbreaking work that pioneered much of what is possible and done today through social networks and other online communities. Leanse grew and ran the group through 1990 when she left Apple to focus on her personal life. Many of the early UGC contributors have gone on to be real creators and contributors in their own rights. NASA's
Dave Lavery
Dave Lavery (born May 28, 1959) is an American scientist and roboticist who is the Program Executive for Solar System Exploration at NASA Headquarters. He also is a member of the ''FIRST'' Executive Advisory Board, and is well-known among parti ...
, through his work with Apple User Groups within
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research.
NASA was established in 1958, succeedin ...
and the
Jet Propulsion Lab
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is a federally funded research and development center and NASA field center in the City of La Cañada Flintridge, California, United States.
Founded in the 1930s by Caltech researchers, JPL is owned by NASA an ...
, was an active influencer of the User Group Connection's early progress.
The early days of Leanse's role aligned her with Apple's passionate user group community and gave her an eye-opening window into a new world: the early roots of the
World Wide Web
The World Wide Web (WWW), commonly known as the Web, is an information system enabling documents and other web resources to be accessed over the Internet.
Documents and downloadable media are made available to the network through web ...
. Through connected
BBS networks,
Arpa and
Darpanet,
The WELL
The Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, normally shortened to The WELL, was launched in 1985. It is one of the oldest continuously operating virtual communities. By 1993 it had 7,000 members, a staff of 12, and gross annual income of $2 million. ...
,
Usenet
Usenet () is a worldwide distributed discussion system available on computers. It was developed from the general-purpose Unix-to-Unix Copy (UUCP) dial-up network architecture. Tom Truscott and Jim Ellis conceived the idea in 1979, and it wa ...
, and other systems, thousands of Apple users around the world were sharing information and support with each other and using their collective knowledge to make the most of their Apple systems. These pioneering users began to experiment with information-sharing through a few leads in this network, and quickly realized the power that this network had to speed product information, updates, and support to people, using much less effort than the standard method – the
U.S. Mail
The United States Postal Service (USPS), also known as the Post Office, U.S. Mail, or Postal Service, is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for providing postal service in the U. ...
– would have allowed.
AUGC produced promotional videos for Apple products.
In April 2012,
PandoDaily
PandoDaily, or simply Pando, was a web publication offering technology news, analysis, and commentary, with a focus on Silicon Valley and startup companies.
History
PandoDaily was started by former TechCrunch writer Sarah Lacy on January 16, 201 ...
included Leanse as one of the top 5 tech marketers. In the article she is attributed as being the pioneer of ''online community''.
Google
She was an employee of Google between 2008 and 2010, charged with leading marketing communications for the Google
G-Suite.
Educator
In 2013 Leanse joined Stanford University's Continuing Studies faculty to teach the neuroscience of innovation through on-campus and online courses.
She currently teaches an online course,
Unleashing Creative Innovation and Building Great Products for Stanford, combining principles of "cognitive neuroscience, design frameworks and evolutionary biology,"
Her work and course at Stanford were featured in the article,
via
CNBC
CNBC (formerly Consumer News and Business Channel) is an American basic cable business news channel. It provides business news programming on weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time, while broadcasting talk sho ...
.
Writer
She has published multiple articles on brain-aware leadership, well-being, gender, and interpersonal dynamics. Her articles have been globally syndicated, receiving up to 8 million views and guiding readers everywhere to new levels of self-awareness and empowerment.
Author
The Happiness Hack
Leanse is a study of neuroscience and "brain hacking". Her book ''The Happiness Hack'', published by
Sourcebooks
Sourcebooks, Inc., is an independent book publisher located in Naperville, Illinois. The company publishes books, ebooks, and digital products, and is one of the 20 largest publishers in the United States.
History
The company was founded in 1 ...
in 2017, explores concepts of attention, connection, and life satisfaction through perspectives on applied neuroscience.
Summary
The Happiness Hack uses the lens of evolutionary biology and neurochemistry to explore how routine behaviors in modern life can interfere with happiness – and how to “hack back,” improving well-being and life satisfaction.
The book discusses various ideas and solutions that are rooted in neuroscience, examining the role of the brain in creating our point of view and how it affects our focus, purpose, and the achievement of true satisfaction, and how opening to new possibilities of thinking differently can help an individual "hack into happiness". The Happiness Hack is a brain-aware guide to bringing more enjoyment, success, and happiness to our daily, and long-term, lives.
By simplifying basic concepts of neuroscience, The Happiness Hack offers insights into stress, distraction, tech addiction, and a sense of disconnection in ways that let readers identify common mental tendencies – and guide the brain toward alternate paths.
Influences
Leanse has acknowledged the work of
neuroleadership influencer David Rock in her book. She also acknowledges the work of Stanford researcher and neuroanatomis
Sarah Eagleman who provided scientific review on the book.
Reception
The Happiness Hack launched at
Kepler’s Literary Foundationevent to a live audience and global livestream. It was selected by
Barnes and Noble
Barnes & Noble Booksellers is an American bookseller. It is a Fortune 1000 company and the bookseller with the largest number of retail outlets in the United States. As of July 7, 2020, the company operates 614 retail stores across all 50 U. ...
as a featured book for the 2017 holiday season.
The Happiness Hack was named one of "The 12 Best Productivity Books of 2017" by
Evernote
Evernote is a note-taking and task management application. It is developed by the Evernote Corporation, headquartered in Redwood City, California. It is intended for archiving and creating notes in which photos, audio and saved web content can ...
.
Press
The Happiness Hack was prominently mentioned in the article, "Former Google and Apple exec now challenges Stanford students to design products that make people happy" via CNBC.
Achievements
In 2012 Leanse was named a 'Silicon Valley Woman of Influence' by
Business Journal
American City Business Journals, Inc. (ACBJ) is an American newspaper publisher based in Charlotte, North Carolina. ACBJ publishes The Business Journals, which contains local business news for 44 markets in the United States, Hemmings Motor News ...
.
Leanse has been a board member for
D-Rev
Equalize Health (formerly D-Rev) is a not-for-profit medical technology company with offices in India, Kenya, and the United States.
Equalize Health’s products include the ReMotion Knee, a polycentric prosthetic knee for above-the-knee amputees ...
, th
Children’s Health Council and the Menlo Park Atherton Education Foundation (serving the
Menlo Park City School District
The Menlo Park City School District is a public school district in the San Francisco Bay Area, primarily serving the communities of Menlo Park and Atherton. Through the Tinsley Voluntary Transfer Program the district allows students from East ...
).
References
External links
Former Google and Apple exec now challenges Stanford students to design products that make people happy CNBC (2018)
"Just" Say No Thrive Global (2017)
New York Times (2015)
Former Google and Apple Exec Says This Word Can Damage Your Credibility Business Insider (2015)
Inc. Magazine (1994)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leanse, Ellen Petry
1958 births
Living people
Apple Inc. employees
American self-help writers