Ellen joined Jim Arnold & Associates in 2002. She represents non-profit entities before the Texas Legislature, assisting clients with their goals to pass legislation, obtain state appropriations, and influence or impact potential legislation affecting their organizations. Ellen also assists clients with profile enhancement and public relations.

Ellen has managed several projects on behalf of coalitions formed to achieve a common goal. In that role, she has collaborated to develop and coordinate the implementation of strategy, which included grassroots organization, grasstrops identification and use, radio and print media - both earned and
paid, and legislative advocacy.

Among these projects is the 6-member coalition Texans Investing in Healthy Families (TIHF), comprised of the Texas Affiliates of American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Texas PTA, the National Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. This coalition formed with the goal of raising the cigarette tax in Texas in order to reduce youth smoking and to fund a statewide cessation and prevention program. TIHF successfully achieved this goal in 2005.

In addition, Ellen managed a coalition comprised of several non-profits advocating on behalf of persons with disabilities in their joint effort to develop a Medicaid Buy-In (MBI) Program. In this program persons with severe disabilities may increase their employment without losing critical Medicaid services such as assistance with daily living tasks, and transportation. Participants contribute to the cost of the premium for Medicaid as they are able to increase their workload. The MBI program was established in 2005.

Ellen worked in the field of education for over 20 years. During her tenure as principal of Barton Creek Elementary School in Eanes ISD in Austin, Barton Creek received Exemplary Status from the Texas Education Agency. In addition, in 2001 Barton Creek Elementary applied for and received the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School Award, presented by the United States Department of Education.

M.E. George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
B.A.  Sul Ross University, Alpine, Texas