About Us
Ellen Shong & Associates, LLC (ESA) helps organizations navigate and comply with their Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AA) obligations. We guide clients through the complexities of federal and state laws and regulations, equipping companies with the tools and knowledge they need to effectively manage their responsibilities.
Deciphering government documents, procedures and regulations is not an easy task! It's taken us YEARS to master – and it's constantly changing – so we're always working to stay on top of it. If you're looking for guidance and support to help you with your EEO and AA matters – know that you've found a reliable, friendly and knowledgeable team with us!
ESA supports clients during regulatory reviews conducted by federal and state agencies. We bring extensive experience working with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and a wide range of state EEO compliance agencies.
What Makes ESA Unique
Extensive Experience
Ellen Shong & Associates is a management consulting firm with deep expertise in regulatory compliance and human resources. We have extensive knowledge of the operations and nuances of the OFCCP and state regulatory agencies, along with broad experience in applying best practices for our clients.
Partners not Vendors
We've always been more than just vendors of affirmative action plans (AAPs). We've excelled in AAP development, but more importantly, we've partnered with clients to help with their overall compliance needs. We take the time to understand each client’s unique circumstances, offering clear, practical guidance to help protect their interests. Our specialized services allow clients to stay focused on their core business priorities while we support their compliance needs.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide the highest quality guidance and service to our clients. We are committed to sharing our EEO and AA expertise with clients, as well as with the broader human resources and legal communities.
Our Leadership
Christopher Northup
President
Chris Northup has been with Ellen Shong & Associates, LLC since 2003 and became President in 2012. He brings over 40 years of experience in the equal employment opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action (AA) fields.
At ESA, Chris has helped clients prepare affirmative action plans (AAPs) and understand their compliance obligations. He has resolved complex data and recordkeeping issues that could have presented significant risks and has successfully guided numerous clients through Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) compliance reviews, often serving as their direct liaison with the agency.
Before joining ESA, Chris worked at PRI Associates, Inc., where he managed EEO litigation support and led the development of client AAPs. He was the principal architect behind a groundbreaking AAP software program that set an industry benchmark for many years. He later joined the company now known as Affirmity, where he played a key role in shaping the strategic direction of AAP software used by thousands of federal contractors.
Chris has delivered presentations on labor force availability, U.S. census data, and best practices in preparing and defending AAPs. His speaking engagements have included presentations for the American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity (AAAED), the National Industry Liaison Group, and local ILG chapters. He maintains strong relationships with federal agencies, consultants, and attorneys across the country who work in EEO, AA, and data analytics. He remains actively involved in analyzing and reporting on emerging trends in the field and has served as an expert witness in litigation.
William Osterndorf
Vice President
Bill Osterndorf has been in the equal employment opportunity field for 40 years. He has extensive knowledge of federal and state equal opportunity and affirmative action laws and regulations. Bill is focused on providing high-quality consulting services to clients that meet their unique needs and interests.
Bill joined Ellen Shong & Associates (ESA) in 2025. He was President of HR Analytical Services for 30 years, a company he founded in 1993 to provide highly specialized services to organizations throughout the United States. Most recently, Bill served as Director of Business Strategy at DCI Consulting Group. Bill brings with him extensive experience with organizations large and small in multiple industries.
Bill has been an active part of his professional community, serving as president of the Milwaukee Industry Liaison Group for 20 years. He also served as the president of the southeastern Wisconsin SHRM chapter. Bill has led several civic organizations in the Milwaukee area.
At ESA, Bill is focused on delivering practical, high-impact guidance to clients while building strong relationships grounded in trust and collaboration. His commitment to client success is matched by a personal dedication to helping others achieve their goals.
Bill currently lives in the St. Paul, Minnesota area.
Our History
Ellen Shong & Associates, LLC was founded in 1983 by Ellen Shong Bergman, a recognized leader in equal opportunity and affirmative action compliance. Ms. Bergman brought extensive experience from both industry and government, having served as corporate legal counsel, human resources manager, and chief compliance officer for a Fortune 200 multinational company. From 1981 to 1984, she served as Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), where she oversaw affirmative action compliance reviews of federal contractors.
Christopher Northup joined ESA in 2003. He became President of ESA when Ellen retired and turned operations of ESA over to Chris. He has continued Ellen’s tradition of providing exceptional service to clients with needs in the EEO and AA arenas.
Today, ESA provides consulting services to organizations throughout the United States. ESA continues to be a leader in helping clients anticipate and understand their EEO and AA obligations.