Elaine Jabenis first became well-known in Nebraska through an award-winning radio show. She then was a television personality on WOWT, KMTV, and KETV, notably a commentator for the Aksarben Ball.

Her next major career was as the Fashion Merchandising Director for the Brandeis stores. She also wrote a weekly fashion column. The "First Lady of Fashion" eventually opened her own business and produced fashion events and trade shows, serving as fashion coordinator for Crossroads and Oak View Malls.

Theatre has been a major part of her adult life, both in writing and acting. She joined Karen Sokolof Javitch to write two musicals: From Generation to Generation and Princess Diana. As far as her acting, she has won every award for excellence offered by the Omaha Community Playhouse along with the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award. The Theatre Arts Guild gave her the same award along with her 2006 one for "Best Actress in a Comedy." She truly is the "Grande Dame" of Omaha theatre.