“Everywhere else, veterans must rely on the government for assistance, but when veterans need help in San Francisco, they turn to Swords. That’s unique, and I wanted to be a part of it.”

In her role at Swords to Plowshares, Elena oversees the agency's operations and programs. Prior to joining Swords in 2024, she served as the City of San Francisco's Director of Veterans Services, frequently collaborating with Swords. Previous roles include: County Veterans Service Officer for Orange County, district representative for Congressman Raul Ruiz, and analyst for the VA's Office of Government Affairs where she collaborated with members of Congress to improve legislation for veterans and their families. Elena began her public service career in the U.S. Army, serving as a human intelligence collector from 2005-2010 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Using her GI Bill benefits, she later earned a B.A. in Foreign Affairs and an M.A. in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University in Washington D.C. Elena, who lives in San Francisco with her partner and their two children, is also an associate producer and co-host of the Contra Costa County Veterans' Voices television program.