National Convening Program Books 2015 YEO National Convening Program Book | Page 67

YEO Bios
Ellie Hill

State Representative
Missoula, Montana
Representative Ellie Hill is a third-term legislator from the State of Montana,
named by Time Magazine as one of the “40 Under 40 Political Rising Stars”
in the nation. She was voted “Missoula’s Best Activist” for nine straight
years (2007-2015) for her advocacy for the impoverished and her political
engagement on progressive causes. She is a former national vice president
for her political party’s youth organization, was named by the Washington
Post as one of the best “state-based political tweeters,” is a state director for the YEO Network,
and a state director of WiLL (Women Legislators Lobby). In 2013, she received “Hero Award” from
the Montana Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness for her legislative advocacy. Ellie is
married to Tyler Nations Smith; they live with their three sons near the banks of the Clark Fork River in
downtown Missoula. @elliehill

Jon Hoadley

State Representative
Kalamazoo, Michigan
State Representative Jon Hoadley (MI-HD-60) is in his first term
representing Kalamazoo and portions of Portage and Kalamazoo
Township. Hoadley serves on the Election Committee and the House
Appropriations Committee, where he also serves on the Judiciary
(Minority Vice Chair), Agriculture (Minority Vice Chair), and Higher
Education Subcommittees. He serves on the NCSL Standing Committee
for Redistricting and Elections, and won 2015 Michigan Young Democrat of the Year. Hoadley is
president of Badlands Strategies, a progressive public affairs firm, and consults nationally. He serves
as the vice president of CARES, an HIV/AIDS service organization in Southwest Michigan, and the
Executive Committee of his political party’s state chapter. Hoadley received the Norman Lear Alumni
Award from People For the A