Caroline Ellison Joins Nonprofit Manifund After Prison Release

Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research, has joined Manifund, a nonprofit organization focused on artificial intelligence safety and effective altruism. The organization, which provides grants for various research projects, confirmed that Ellison started a trial period in July and moved into a full time position in August. During her initial time at the group, she worked under the pseudonym Carol.

Manifund cofounder Austin Chen announced the hiring and expressed support for Ellison, highlighting her efforts to assist creditors during the aftermath of the FTX collapse. He noted that Ellison has already contributed to the organization by building a tool that identified errors in their financial database. Chen stated that his decision to bring her on board stems from a belief in her potential for redemption.

The announcement sparked significant backlash from members of the effective altruism community. Critics expressed concern that the association with a central figure in the FTX fraud could damage the reputation of the broader movement. While some questioned the hiring process, others pointed out that the move highlights ongoing tensions regarding ethics and accountability within the charity sector.

Ellison, who pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges, was released from federal custody in January after serving a sentence for her role in the collapse of FTX. While an SEC judgment prohibits her from holding officer or director positions at public companies for a decade, that restriction does not apply to her current role at this private nonprofit.