Elissa serves as the CEO of Vitas Group, a Global Communities enterprise that she helped launch and where she continues to drive strategy. Vitas Group is a financial services company that is the pioneer of financial inclusion in the Middle East.

Elissa is a seasoned executive manager with 20 years of experience in emerging markets and international development. She holds expertise in designing financial products for the low-income customer segments and for startup ventures. Elissa has also managed field operations in volatile market settings, raised funds, and implemented projects with a range of partners including private equity investors, foundations, governments and multilateral donors, and impact investors. She is an author and professorial lecturer on a range of topics, such as financial inclusion, women's entrepreneurship, and development finance.