Elena was born in New York City, but spent most of her youth in Vermont.  She attended the University of New Mexico receiving a BS in Cultural Anthropology and BA's in Brazilian Portuguese and Art.  She has since worked at many private and non-profit health clinics filling a diversity of roles, such as Health Educator/Counselor and Referral Coordinator.  She attended a program at PCC in Medical Research to further her interests in medicine and working with the community.  

In her free time she teaches and practices Pilates, kayaks, hikes, bikes and continues to practice her ceramic art.