Gebhard was born in Helsinki. She has served as Chairwoman of the Helsinki Culture and Library Chamber.[5] Gebhard is a social democrat and has also previously served as Chairwoman of the Finnish youth umbrella organisation Allianssi ry[6] and as Chairwoman of the Social Democratic Students SONK.[7] In the 2023 Parliamentary elections Gebhard was elected to the Parliament from the Helsinki constituency with 5,872 votes.[8]
Gebhard works as a legal policy lawyer for the Finnish Bar Association. In the past, she has worked as an assistant to Jutta Urpilainen, Member of Parliament[9] and Special Advisor to Prime Minister Sanna Marin,[10] as well as an expert on public relations in the financial sector.[11] She holds a master's degree in law from the University of Helsinki.[12]
Gebhard's family has roots from Germany, and her father Hannu Gebhard was a painter. Elisa Gebhard is also a painter and has attended the Kallio School of Fine Arts. She is a vegetarian and lives in Kruununhaka, Helsinki.[9]