Elena Santamaria specializes in health, human services, and homelessness policy issues. She has led NextGen’s efforts to defend the Affordable Care Act, extend services to undocumented communities, ensure patients have access to affordable prescription drugs, and expand progressive healthcare policies both nationally and in California. Additionally, she spearheads the organization’s racial equity work as it relates to the state’s Racial Equity Commission and co-leads the coalition advocacy.
Prior to working at NextGen Policy, Elena worked in the California State Legislature for a number of Assembly Members and also intermittently spent time on various legislative campaigns.
Elena holds a Bachelors of Science in Political Science from the University of California, Davis.
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers