Elissa is Vice President, Intermediates, for ExxonMobil Chemical Company. While many people recognize ExxonMobil Corporation as the largest Fortune 500 Company, ExxonMobil Chemical Company, is also the third largest chemical company in the world with 2008 revenue of $55 billion. Intermediates are chemical building blocks used in a wide variety of end uses including paints, industrial process fluids, oil drilling aids, agricultural chemicals, household and industrial cleaning products and plastic additives.

Elissa completed both an undergraduate degree and Masters of Engineering in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering at Cornell. While studying at Cornell, Elissa met her husband, John Sterry, who was pursuing combined study in engineering and business at the Johnson School. They were married at Sage Chapel in 1981.

While at Cornell, Elissa was accepted to the Engineering Co-op program and began working for Exxon Corporation as a Systems Engineer. Upon graduation in 1980, Elissa accepted a full-time position with Exxon Chemical Company. Elissa has held a number of positions throughout her career in manufacturing, marketing, planning and general management. In 1999, she was appointed to the position of Vice President, Ethylene Elastomers.

In 2002, Elissa became Deputy Manager, Public Affairs, for ExxonMobil Corporation in Dallas Texas. While in Public Affairs, Elissa led activities to increase public awareness of the company’s record and commitment to corporate citizenship. Later that year, Elissa was appointed manager, Economics and Energy, and became a recognized speaker on ExxonMobil’s outlook for energy and energy related issues. Elissa has traveled around the world to speak with government officials, government agencies, think tanks, investors, national oil company executives and university students on energy related matters.

In 2004, Elissa was appointed manger, Business Planning and Support, for the ExxonMobil Gas and Power Company. In her role, Elissa was responsible for developing strategies to meet the world’s increasing demand for clean burning natural gas. In 2006 she returned to the Chemical Company in her current role.

Elissa lives in Houston, Texas with John and two beloved cats. Outside of work, Elissa enjoys cooking, wine collecting and travel. Elissa remains a member of the Society of Women Engineers, which she joined as an undergraduate, and spends significant time coaching and mentoring young, female professionals. She also serves on the Product Stewardship Council for Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Trade Association and has recently been nominated to serve on the Houston Salvation Army Board.

At the time of our 35th reunion, Elissa reached 35 years of service at ExxonMobil, having completed one year prior to graduation as an Engineering CO-OP. Since our 30th, Elissa has continued to travel to all parts of the world and even manages to visit Ithaca a few times a year for meetings of the Engineering College Council and President's Council of Cornell Women (PCCW). Elissa added ballroom dancing to her list of hobbies in 2011 and has appeared in numerous dance showcase routines on the Houston amateur stage.

At the time of our 40th reunion, Elissa had retired from ExxonMobil in 2017 after more than 37 years of service. Since then, she has become a Certified Sommelier and is a Senior Facilitator with Battlefield Leadership, an executive leadership consultancy. Elissa is currently serving a three year term as Chair of the Cornell Engineering College Council.