Ellen Ellison, University of Illinois Foundation CIO, Steps Down The allocator shared on social media that she will be leaving to pursue other endowment and investment-related activities. Ellen J. Ellison, the chief investment officer at the University of Illinois Foundation, is leaving after eight years heading the portfolio to pursue other endowment and investment-related activities, the allocator shared Tuesday on LinkedIn. The school will start a nationwide search for her replacement, the UI Foundation said Tuesday. Until then, Edward “Ned” Creedon, previously the director of private investments, will serve as the interim CIO. “Building the first investment office in Chicago for the Foundation has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences of my career, and I wish all of my colleagues continued success in the future,” Ellison wrote in the social media post.