Cindy Ellis was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She graduated from Valley High School and continued her education in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California, where she earned degrees in Public Relations/ Journalism and Psychology.
Upon graduation from USC, Cindy returned to the Las Vegas area and began a career in hotel sales and marketing. She eventually became an investment advisor and money manager for Prudential Securities (currently Wells Fargo Advisors), working as a Vice President of Investments until she retired in 1993 to devote her time to her family and philanthropic pursuits.
Cindy is involved in numerous local organizations. She is a long-time member and past president of Nevada Women’s Philanthropy. She currently sits on the boards of the Candlelighters Foundation, the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada and The Smith Center. In addition, through the Moonridge Foundation, she co-chairs both The Greater Good Council and the Philanthropy Leaders Summit.
Cindy and her husband, Gary, have been married for 33 years. They own several small businesses in Southern Nevada, including Ellis Island Hotel and Casino, Casino Valle Verde, the Village Pub and Yorkie’s taverns, and the soon-to-be-reconstructed Mt. Charleston Lodge. Their three daughters, Christina, Anamarie and Michaela, each returned to Las Vegas once graduating college and now work in the family business.
