Ellie was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, where she graduated from Marian High School. During her time there, she was actively involved in both her school’s debate team and the Omaha Rowing Association. She later attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts. While pursuing her degree, Ellie completed a marketing internship in Bangalore, India, where she discovered a passion for both marketing and international travel. Outside of her professional pursuits, Ellie enjoys reading, writing, weightlifting, and boxing. She also continues to explore her creative hobbies through design projects and filmmaking.