Sister Ellen was born in Michigan and grew up in New York. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She served as an attorney with the United States Army Judge Advocate Corps in Missouri, Illinois, and Korea, as well as for the federal government in Kentucky. In April 2004 she graduated with a Master’s in Theology from the Sacred Heart School of Theology, Hales Corners, Wisconsin.

In September 1996 she began her formation with the Sisters of the Divine Savior in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and made her First Vows in 1999. She currently ministers with the Diocese of Phoenix Tribunal as an auditor, procurator-advocate, and office supervisor. Sister Ellen explained that she was drawn to the Salvatorian Sisters because of a mission to make a loving God known by all ways and means, their internationality and collaboration with SDS priests, brothers and lay members.

View Photos of Sister Ellen's 
Perpetual Vows Celebration