Galinsky is the author of Mind in the Making, a best-selling book on early learning that the New York Times called “an iconic parenting manual,” and Judy Woodruff of the PBS NewsHour named “must reading for everyone who cares about America’s fate in the 21st Century.” Her book on adolescence, The Breakthrough Years, was published in March 2024 and involved nine-years of research, including three original studies. Adam Grant, author of Hidden Potential says that “it smashes common stereotypes of teens and tweens,” Dan Siegel, author of The Whole Brain Child calls it a “masterpiece;” Mitch Prinstein of the American Psychological Association says it is “a tour de force;” while Richard Lerner of Tufts University says it is a “superb contribution to science and society.” Known for her work on executive function (EF) skills, she’s been called the “OG of EF.” She is also the author of 90 books/reports and 360 articles for books, academic journals, magazines, and the Web.  

Other career highlights include serving as a parent expert in the Mister Rogers Talks to Parents TV series; being the elected President of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC); and being elected to the National Academy of Human Resources. In 2018, the Work and Family Researchers Network established the ongoing Ellen Galinsky Generative Researcher Award and she received their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.

A popular keynote speaker, Galinsky has been a presenter at five White House Conferences, including the White House Conference on Teenagers in 2000. She has been featured regularly in the media, including appearances on Good Morning America, the Today Show, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Read Less ^