17 Facts About Janele Hyer-Spencer

Donna Janele Hyer-Spencer was born on October 24,1964 and is an American attorney and former politician.

Janele Hyer-Spencer attended high school in Lake Zurich, Illinois, where she ran track and cross country and played golf.

Janele Hyer-Spencer graduated from CUNY School of Law with a JD and graduated from Queens College with a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy.

Janele Hyer-Spencer became a litigation attorney for the New York City Administration for Children's Services, specializing in child abuse and neglect.

Janele Hyer-Spencer practiced in all five boroughs of the City of New York and the Integrated Domestic Violence Courts.

Janele Hyer-Spencer later joined the ACS legal Counsel unit, where she was responsible for negotiating and resolving class actions and civil lawsuits.

Janele Hyer-Spencer served as the Legal Director of My Sister's Place, a New York City-based non-profit organization which helps victims of domestic violence.

Janele Hyer-Spencer was first elected to the New York State Assembly in November 2006, narrowly defeating her Republican opponent to win a seat vacated by Republican Matthew Mirones.

Janele Hyer-Spencer sponsored a bill to eliminate fees on Orders of Protection to remove financial roadblocks from victims seeking protections; the bill became law.

In 2008, Janele Hyer-Spencer told voters that she would advocate for education and health care that is "a right not a privilege".

Janele Hyer-Spencer developed the Hyer Hopes Awards honoring students from selected elementary, intermediate, and high schools throughout Staten Island and Bay Ridge who demonstrated significant improvement in academic achievement, or succeeded by overcoming adverse conditions.

Janele Hyer-Spencer used her role on the State's Energy Committee to partner with Josh Fox, an Oscar-nominated film director, to educate the public and advocate a ban on natural gas drilling within New York City's watershed.

Janele Hyer-Spencer was awarded the Verrazano Narrows award from the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation for her work promoting economic development, where she drafted and sponsored legislation to create the first ever "Green Zone" to attract and encourage environmentally green businesses to Staten Island.

Janele Hyer-Spencer was recognized for her efforts to motivate, mentor, and inspire Staten Island business women by founding and funding the Women's Leadership Council.

Janele Hyer-Spencer was chosen by the American Cancer Society to present a public service announcement highlighting her father's battle with cancer and struggle with maintaining health insurance.

Janele Hyer-Spencer was recognized for her commitment to the Dress for Success campaign where she sponsored a yearly drive to benefit women re-entering the work force.

In September 2011, Janele Hyer-Spencer was hired by the New York State Education Department as a federal legislative liaison.