About Ellen

Ellen Barre Spiegel has four decades of experience in the private and public sectors, with a unique background in business, government, and politics.

 

Ellen was raised in the small town of Jericho, NY and has a degree in Consumer Economics from Cornell University.  Ellen has had a diverse and interesting career, spanning corporate business, entrepreneurship and politics.  Her one constant is her drive for innovation. Ellen was an e-commerce pioneer, and her many achievements include: helping bring The Weather Channel online; developing the very first online store that let people purchase software and download it to their computers; and serving as the founding Chair of the Internet industry's first public policy committee, which was instrumental in the development of Internet privacy and email marketing guidelines that protect consumers.

 

She served in the Nevada Assembly for five terms, and she was the first graduate of Emerge Nevada to be elected to public office.  She's proud to have served in the nation's first female-majority Legislature.

 

Ellen owns Strategems Consulting, a successful Nevada-based consulting firm with her husband Bill, to whom she has been married for 23 years. They have two cats, Hobbes and Shekel ("Shecky") and live in the Green Valley section of Henderson.

 

Ellen is a Recognized Leader:

 

  • President's Council of Cornell Women, 2017 - Present
  • Vice President, Nevada Federation of Democratic Women, 2021 - 2024
  • Inducted into Jericho High School Hall of Fame, 2022
  • Served five terms in the Nevada Legislature:
    • Assemblywoman, District 20, 2012 - 2020
    • Assembly Committee on Health & Human Services, Vice-Chair, 2013
    • Assembly Committee on Ways & Means Subcommittee on K-12/Higher Education/Capital Improvement Programs, Vice-Chair, 2019
    • Assembly Committee on Taxation, Vice-Chair, 2019
    • Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor, Chair 2019
    • Assemblywoman, District 21, 2008 - 2010
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society, "Legislator of the Year" Award, 2020
  • Nevada Women's Lobby, "Woman of Impact," 2020

  • Named Vice Chair, National Conference of Insurance Legislators Articles of Incorporation/Bylaws committee, January 2020

  • Adopt a Vet Dental Program, "Certificate of Appreciation," in recognition of outstanding support and commitment to the Nevada Veteran Community, 2019
  • Appointed National Conference of Insurance Legislators Executive Board, 2019
  • Appointed Council of State Governments Task Force, "The Future of Work," 2019
  • Council of State Governments, "Henry Toll Fellow," 2017
  • Breastfeeding Task Force of Nevada "Shining Star," 2017
  • Assembly Committee on Transportation, Vice-Chair, 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
  • Mi Familia Vota, "Certificate of Appreciation," 2013
  • City of Henderson, "Making a Difference in their Neighborhoods," 2011
  • Nevada Women's Lobby, "Rising Star Award," 2010
  • Nevada Chapter, Community Associations Institute, "Large Association Board Member of the Year," 2009