Lisa Ellis is a dedicated quilt artist, teacher, and lecturer whose passion for quilting extends beyond the artistic realm. With a passion for making a positive impact, Lisa frequently shares her expertise in healing quilts, inspiring fellow quilters to contribute to the improvement of health care centers and hospitals. Her leadership has included prestigious institutions such as Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the University of Michigan, Auburn University, National Institutes of Health, and INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital.

Currently, Lisa plays a pivotal role in the Arts and Healing initiative at the Schar Cancer Institute at INOVA Fairfax, where she serves on the Executive and Art Selection committees. Her commitment to the transformative power of art in healing is evident in her leadership and on-going contributions to healing-related installations.

As the former president of the non-profit organization Sacred Threads, Lisa directed a biennial exhibition that celebrated the profound themes of spirituality, joy, inspiration, healing, grief, and peace/brotherhood through heartfelt quilts. While the exhibit has transitioned from the Washington DC area, Lisa remains integral to its legacy, serving as treasurer and mentor to a new leadership team while facilitating the exhibit's relocation to Indianapolis.

Lisa's diverse background includes advanced degrees in Math and Computer Science, coupled with a 23-year career in the defense and information technology industry. Her roles as an engineer, project manager, and executive provided a foundation for her subsequent venture into the non-profit sector. Since her retirement in 2003, Lisa has directed her energies toward volunteer work and her deep-seated passion for the arts.

In 2010, Lisa founded Giving Back Technology, a tech company that offers information technology services to non-profit museums, galleries, and other art organizations.
Committed to supporting the non-profit world, she has served on the boards of directors for quilt-related organizations with crucial missions. Lisa served as the former President of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) and currently lends her expertise to the board of the Quilt Alliance, embodying her dedication to the intersection of art, technology, and philanthropy.