Share Your Story - Ellie Hayes

Ellie Hayes serves as the Campaign Coordinator for Smoke-Free Initiatives in Missouri.

Ellie has a strong background in both campaign and advocacy work on a variety of issues. Before joining the AHA family, she worked with The Humane Society of the United States as their Ballot Initiative Manager and Sandy Hook Promise on gun violence prevention.

Ellie has lived and worked in 9 states but is a Missouri native. She is excited to be back home and working to help protect her fellow Missourians from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

When not advocating for better health she can usually be found riding her bike, making soup, or under a pile of kittens. 

What brought you to be an advocate for the AHA?

I believe in the American Heart Association's mission of making lives better and healthier. After losing my mother last year to a preventable disease I wanted to commit my time, efforts and skills to working to help others be healthier and live longer.

What Issues or policies are you most passionate about and why?

I am passionate about making Missouri smoke-free! Everyone deserves the right to breathe clean, smoke-free air. There is no safe amount of secondhand smoke and it's time that Missouri protect consumers and workers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

What is a favorite advocacy memory so far and what made it great?

I loved attending the Kick Butt's at the Capitol day! Watching young people from around the state come together and take action was inspiring. I am motivated to work even harder so that in the future smoke-free is the new normal.

Favorite way to be active?

When the weather is nice I love riding my bike on nature trails or through Forest Park. If it is rainy or cold, I like to do yoga. Both are fun, good exercise and help me to relax!

Favorite fruit or vegetable?

I love asparagus! Roasted, steamed, grilled, made into a risotto --I like it anyway you can make it!