Representative Ellyn Hefner has a diverse career background that includes owning a business, working as a health coordinator with the Oklahoma Family Network, a non-profit that supports families who have a child with a disability, a Financial Advisor, and a Chartered Special Needs Consultant. In that role, Rep. Hefner helps families plan their retirement by creating a financial plan which includes a plan for their child with a disability including government benefits, special needs trusts and social security. Additionally, she has served as the Chairman of the board of the Daily Living Centers in Oklahoma City, President of the Sotos Syndrome Support Association International.
Representative Hefner became more involved in public policy efforts after graduating in 2013 from Partners in Policymaking, a leadership training program designed to teach individuals with disabilities and family members the power of advocacy to positively change the way people with disabilities are supported, viewed, taught, live and work. She is a LEND fellow, Oklahoma Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities, an interdisciplinary leadership education program funded by the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau in the US Health Resources and Services Administration. She has also served on the Oklahoma State Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) advisory committee which provides input on DDS policy proposed by the Department of Human Services. Most of her advocacy is held in the disability realm, where she has served as an ambassador for Oklahoma's ABLE accounts with the State Treasurer's office.
Currently, she serves on The Santa Fe Family Life Center Board and development committee. in Oklahoma City. The SFFLC is an all-adaptive sports and fitness center. She is a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. In her spare time, Hefner sweep rows with The River Sirens on The RIVERSPORT Corporate Rowing League.
Representative Hefner serves on the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee, Insurance committee, Energy Committee, A&B finance Sub Committee, Rules Committee and Select Committee to Review Mental Health Finances. She serves as a co-chair of the Heartland Caucus, launched by Heartland Forward, which brings together top public policy decision makers focused on health care in eight states - Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Representative Hefner is also a member of the budget and executive committees for NCOIL: National Council of Insurance Legislators and serves as Vice Chair of the Joint State-Federal Relations & International Insurance Issues. Representative Hefner is a member of the Democratic Party and was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives to represent District 87 in the general election on November 5, 2024, to serve a second term, and was elected Caucus Vice Chair-elect for the 61st legislative session.
