Together, we make a difference!

In 2019, Nevada became the first state in America to have a female-majority Legislature. Ellen is proud to have been part of U.S. history and to have helped Nevada achieve this milestone. She also is proud of the work accomplished in this historic legislative session.  Three of Ellen's bills were signed into law, including AB170, which put coverage for pre-existing conditions into statute and also increased Nevadans' ability to get appointments with doctors who are in-network. and Ellen assumed significant leadership roles:

• Chair, Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor
• Vice Chair, Assembly Committee on Taxation
• Vice Chair, Assembly Committee on Ways & Means Subcommittee on K-12/Higher Education/ Capital Improvement Programs

Additionally, Ellen supported a number of bills and resolutions.

A Decade of Legislative Service

• Nevada  Assembly, 2009 and 2013-2019 (first elected November 2008; after lapse  in service, subsequently elected November 2012)—five regular and six  special sessions
• Assistant Majority Whip, 2017
• 2019  SESSION COMMITTEES:  Commerce and Labor (Chair); Taxation (Vice Chair); Ways and  Means; Ways and Means Subcommittee on K-12/Higher Education/Capital  Improvement Programs (Vice Chair); Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human  Services 
• 2017 SESSION COMMITTEES: Transportation (Vice Chair);  Taxation;  Ways and Means; Ways and Means Subcommittee on K-12/Higher  Education/Capital Improvement Programs; Ways and Means Subcommittee on  General Government
• 2015 SESSION COMMITTEES: Health and Human Services; Government Affairs; Transportation
• 2013 SESSION COMMITTEES: Health and Human Services (Vice Chair); Judiciary; Transportation
• 2009 SESSION COMMITTEES:  Government Affairs; Health and Human Services; Transportation
• 2017-2018  INTERIM COMMITTEES: Interim Finance Committee; Legislative Committee on  Health Care; Commission on Educational Technology; Nevada Task Force on  Financial Security; Nevada Commission on Aging; Nevada Advisory Council  on Federal Assistance
• 2015-2016 INTERIM COMMITTEES:   Legislative Committee on Senior Citizens, Veterans, and Adults with  Special Needs; Safe-to-Tell Program Advisory Committee
• 2013-2014  INTERIM COMMITTEES:  Legislative Committee on Senior Citizens,  Veterans, and Adults with Special Needs; Advisory Board on Maternal and  Child Health; Nevada Commission on Aging
• 2009-2010 INTERIM  COMMITTEES:  Legislative Committee on Health Care; Legislative Committee  on Senior Citizens, Veterans, and Adults with Special Needs

• Adopt A Vet Dental Program, Certificate of Appreciation, 2019
• Jewish Nevada, Award of Gratitude, 2019
• Breastfeeding Task Force of Nevada, Shining Star Award, 2017
• Nevada Advanced Practice Nurses Association, Certificate of Appreciation, 2017
• Urban Chamber of Commerce, Women in Politics Award, 2016
• Henderson Democratic Club, Governor Richard H. Bryan Award, 2016
• March of Dimes, Peggy Pierce Advocacy Award, 2015
• United Veterans Legislative Council, Certificate of Appreciation, 2015
• Emerge Nevada, 2014 Woman of the Year
• Mi Familia Vota, Certificate of Appreciation, 2013
• Making a Difference in Their Neighborhoods, 2011 Co-Award Winner, City of Henderson
• Nevada Women's Lobby, Rising Stars Award, 2010
• Nevada Chapter, Community Associations Institute, Large Association Board Member of the Year, 2009
• Young Democrats of Nevada, Honorary Membership Award, 2008
• Prodigy Services Company, Prodigy Quality Award, 1990
• Prodigy Services Company, Citation for Quality and Prodigy Quality Award, 1990

• Council of State Governments, Henry Toll Fellow, 2017
• Council of State Governments, Western Legislative Academy,  2010
• Emerge Nevada, Class of 2007
• Co-author, “Weighing the Value of Cost Containment in a Workers Comp Plan,” American Agent and Broker Magazine, 2007
• Author,  “Consumer Issues Affecting E-Commerce:  How to Make Online Shoppers  Comfortable Enough to Buy Your Online Goods,” SRDS Interactive  Advertising Source, 1998
• Internet Alliance (IA) Board, 1995-1999; Officer, 1997-1999
• Public Policy Committee, Internet Alliance, Founding Chair, 1994

• Council of State Governments National Task Force on The Future of Work, 2019-Present
• National Association of Insurance Legislators, Executive Committee Member, 2019-Present
• Southern Nevada Forum: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Chair, 2018
• President's Council of Cornell Women, 2018-Present
• Easter Seals Nevada, Board Member, 2009-2018; Vice Chair, 2012
• Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network
• Seniors United, Member
• National Association of Jewish Legislators, Board Member, 2013-Current; Board Secretary, 2015-Current
• National Association of Jewish Legislators, Nevada Chapter, President, 2013-Current
• Friends of the Nevada Libraries, President, 2011-2012
• Project GREEN: Friends of Pittman Wash, Steering Committee Member
• Green Valley Ranch Community Association, former Board Member and Social Committee Chair

• Cornell University, B.S., Ithaca, New York

• Occupation:  Business Consultant
• Spouse:  Bill Spiegel
• Born:  New York City, New York; Raised:  Jericho, New York
• Recreation:  Cooking, traveling, theater/art appreciation