What the mission means to Yelena
Babies and toddlers rely on the grown-ups in their lives to make sure they are safe, healthy, and happy. I am driven to leave this world better than I found it when I was a baby—and that includes making sure families and communities have the tools they need to give all babies a strong start in life.
Professional Background
Yelena has over a decade of state and federal policy experience on issues impacting babies, toddlers, and families. Most recently, Yelena served as a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where she facilitated communications between the Department and Congress. She also served as Senior Advisor for Gender-Based Violence at the White House Gender Policy Council. Previously, Yelena spent five years as a Senate Committee staffer on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), advising three U.S. Senators on issue areas including those impacting infants and toddlers, such as health coverage and access, mental health, and domestic violence.
Before moving to the Senate, Yelena was a Committee staffer in the Massachusetts State House, where she served as a key advisor on comprehensive legislation addressing the opioid epidemic. She began her policy career advocating for survivors of sexual violence, and served as a fellow and intern in the House of Representative. Yelena began her career as a youth worker in AmeriCorps. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Public Policy from the George Washington University Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.
Future Vision
Yelena envisions a world where every baby and toddler has the care, resources, and support they need to thrive.
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