Ellen Bannister is a mother of two children with developmental disabilities. She is Academic Programs Coordinator of the Center for Learning and Leadership/ Oklahoma UCEDD at the OU College of Medicine. Her formal training was in the humanities, but her life experience of caring for children with developmental disabilities has inspired her current work: improving access to high-quality health care for people with developmental disabilities.

Ellen Bannister received her Bachelor's and Master's degree in English literature at the University of Kansas. She completed her coursework for a Ph.D. at Boston University. Before joining the Center for Learning and Leadership staff, she taught at the University of Oklahoma for many years. In 2013, she received the Integrity Apex Award from the University of Oklahoma Integrity Council for her work in fostering high-quality scholarship and promoting academic integrity. In 2014, Ellen received the Emerging Leaders Scholarship to the AUCD national convention. Currently, she acts as liaison for the UCEDD's academic partners and the OU School of Medicine Faculty.