Eleanor "Ellie" Hamby comes from Abilene, a small city in West Texas. An adventurous octogenarian, her recent trip around-the-world-in-80-days at 81 with best friend Sandy Hazelip put them, unexpectedly, on the map. They didn't chase fame, but the spotlight found them when their contagious message of positivity, friendship, and living fearlessly at any age exploded organically on social and traditional media. Affectionately named the TikTok "travelling grannies" by social media, Ellie and her friend, Sandy, are inspiring people across generational divides, young and old alike, and also across social, political, and cultural divides throughout the US and around the globe.

Exclusively represented by BrightSight Speakers, Ellie is co-author of a recent book, Here We Go, and has spoken throughout the United States and internationally. Ellie has traveled to over 120 countries and all seven continents. In the last few decades, she was joined by her best friend, co-author and fellow BrightSight speaker, Sandy Hazelip, and she always had a camera at her side. She is an international documentary photographer; her work has been showcased in several exhibitions in the US and Africa.

Ellie has served as Co-Director of Zambia Medical Mission, one of the world's largest short-term medical missions. She lived in Zambia for several years and still has a home there, where she often returns.

She enjoys taking her grandchildren with her on mission trips and other adventures.

Service to others is the cornerstone of Ellie's life. The love of her life, Kelly, passed away 20 years ago, but that gave her the drive to continue the faith-based humanitarian work they had shared together in Zambia.