Shining Star: Ellen Lucas

July’s Shining Star is Ellen Lucas, a senior financial analyst at Orion. In this fun Q&A, Ellen shares an interesting story about how she managed to learn some Norwegian — without even trying. And she tells us the one superpower that she feels would help her become even closer with her friends.

So, tell us: Where are you from?
A small suburb in New Jersey called Clark. Currently, I live in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.

Before Orion, what was the last company you worked for?
I worked for Harris Corporation, a defense contractor, as a program financial analyst. I was responsible for the monthly invoicing, tracking labor, and assisted in the creation of budgets of our foreign and domestic contracts. One of the contracts I worked on was for a part on a Boeing B-52 bomber that would counteract an opponent radar’s system in order to go undetected.

What’s something interesting your colleagues might not know about you?
I lived in Fort Lee, NJ for the first three years of my life but then moved to Oslo, Norway for a year before coming to Clark. At the time, I didn’t realize I was living in a different country, but I do remember a lot from living there and would even come home speaking Norwegian that I picked up from the neighborhood kids at times. I would love to go back!

Your hobbies?
I love to cook and bake. My dad is a great cook and loves cooking Italian meals, which I have inherited. I love making Thai food and Mexican-inspired meals. As for baking, I have a huge sweet tooth and love making all kinds of cookies and muffins. I also love to do yoga.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
There are so many places I want to visit. I really enjoy putting together travel itineraries for upcoming trips. A definite place I would love to travel to is Greece. It looks so beautiful, and Greek food is one of my favorite cuisines.

If you could wake up tomorrow with one quality or ability what would it be?
To be able to teleport! I would be able to explore so many more places, and I also have a few friends in other states that I wish I could see more often.