Colonel Ellis graduated from the United States Military Academy and was commissioned into the Military Intelligence Corps, United States Army. 

Her first assignment was FT Richardson where she served as a Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer in 106th MI BN followed by assignment to FT Wainwright as the Intelligence Officer for 46th SPT BN. Colonel Ellis then served in Korea as the Battalion Plans and Exercises Officer for the 524th MI BN. Her next assignment was FT Hood as the Chief of Current Intelligence, Deputy Corps Collection Manager, 504th MI BDE Personnel Officer/Adjutant and Commander, Bravo Company, 303rd MI BN. She then worked at Human Resources Command as an Assignment Officer before being assigned to FT Drum as the 10th Mountain Division Intelligence Plans Officer; and Battalion Operations Officer and Executive Officer, DSTB. Her next assignment was on the Joint Staff Directorate for Intelligence as the Middle East Desk Officer, Strategic Intelligence Planner and Executive Assistant to the Director for Intelligence, J2. Colonel Ellis commanded the 502nd MI BN at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, which deployed to Afghanistan, where Task Force Watchmen provided intelligence support across the entire Regional Command-South while simultaneously conducting sustainment and force protection operations for Forward Operating Base Spin Boldak. Next was a fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Lincoln Laboratory where she focused on forensics capabilities and security studies. Colonel Ellis then served as the Military Assistant to the Assistant Director of National Intelligence for Partner Engagement in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence before commanding the 513th MI BDE, which provides theater-level intelligence to US Army Central and US Central Command. Following command, she was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G2 for US Army Pacific. Colonel Ellis most recently served as Chief of Staff, 25th Infantry Division and US Army Hawaii. She is currently assigned to the Army’s Talent Management Task Force.

Colonel Ellis is a graduate of the Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course, the Military Intelligence Advanced Course, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, the School of Advanced Military Studies, the Joint and Combined Warfighting School, the Army War College Fellowship Program, Airborne School and Air Assault School. Her awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal.