Ellen (Hoelscher) McLain, of Jefferson City, Mo., is originally from Washington, Mo., and graduated from St. Francis Borgia Regional High School in 1983. She earned bachelor degrees in psychology and communication from Truman State University in 1987, a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and a certificate in personal financial planning from Kansas State University.  While a student at Truman, Ellen was a member of the Delta Zeta social sorority, and in 1986, she served as a legislative intern for Rep. Everett W. Brown.

Since 1996, Ellen has been employed as a development officer at the University of Missouri, and she is senior director of development in MU’s Office of Gift Planning and Endowments. Previously, she worked in Engineering Development and the Arts and Science Advancement Office at MU, and she has also worked for the American Cancer Society. Ellen completed a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Andrew Jackson Higgins of the Missouri Supreme Court.

Ellen is actively involved with Truman's Mid-Missouri Alumni Chapter and has served a the treasurer and past president. She also volunteers for Boone County Senior Services and is a member of Boonslick Kiwanis in Columbia, Mo. Ellen likes to run, and has completed in the Kansas City Half Marathon (2008) and Heart of America Marathon (1999).

Ellen is married to Kevin, a geotechnical engineer with the Missouri Department of Transportation. Kevin has two degrees from Kansas State University and is pursuing a master’s degree in engineering and construction management from Iowa State through a distance education program.