Elaine Cali McNamara was born in Detroit, Michigan. She moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953 at the age of 16. She modeled for the Bernie Lenz agency and for local shops and tearooms from the 1950s to 1980s. McNamara started her real estate career in 1982. She became a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS). She was trustee of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District from 1981 to 1991 and chair from 1990-1991. As of 2016, McNamara continues to work as a real estate agent and CRS in the Las Vegas Valley.