Hello! I'm
Elena Anderson

I’m an executive coach and facilitator working with clients to become more authentic and effective leaders. As a former foundation and nonprofit executive with nearly 20 years of experience in grant-making, public health, and social justice causes, I’m a believer in finding purpose in your work.I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing executive coaches throughout my career, and I’ve seen the impact of their time on my career and life outside of work. Now, I get to work with leaders to raise awareness for how we show up at work and in the world and prioritize what is most important to us.

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My Background

Everyone has unique life experiences that have shaped their perspectives, and for me that includes having a multicultural background. My life as the daughter of South Asian immigrants gave me a unique perspective at an early age (born in California, I’ve also lived in Pakistan, London, and Egypt) and has made me an adaptable and curious person who recognizes the value of culture, context, and systems.I hold a Masters in Public Health from Boston University and a BA in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara. I've earned my executive coaching certification from the Hudson Institute and am an ICF accredited coach. I’ve served in executive and leadership roles with community foundations and nonprofits overseeing programs, grant-making strategy, and fundraising.With a passion for gender equality and a background in electoral politics, I directed institutional partnerships for the Women's Foundation of California in San Francisco helping raise millions in support of public policy training for women. Since 2016, I’ve served in various board leadership roles for Planned Parenthood.Prior to philanthropy, I worked in public health research on USAID and CDC-funded programs focused on leadership development and quality improvement in hospitals in the Southern Africa region and in Egypt.Now, I’m based in Santa Barbara, California with my family and appreciating my ability to work with amazing leaders irrespective of our geography. If you’re interested in a coaching relationship, let’s talk! To get an intro call scheduled, simply complete a 2-min intake form and we’ll get started. You can also email me at e@elena-anderson.coLooking forward to connecting!

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