Elena Cross

What are you doing now?
After 10 years of working on campaigns and 8 more working in state government in the office of former Pennsylvania (PA) Governor Tom Wolf, I now serve in two separate capacities.  Primarily, I help clients to understand how the government functions and how to accomplish their goals as part of a PA-based public affairs and consulting firm, GSL Public Strategies.  Additionally, I serve on the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Board of Review. As a PA Senate-confirmed board member, I review and vote on appeals to unemployment compensation (aka insurance) decisions.  I also serve on a number of community and advocacy boards involving women's health care and early education.

How has the Fellowship impacted your career?
The fellowship helped on how I contextualize history, particularly history related to American politics and civic life.  

What is your favorite memory of the Fellowship?
Definitely the other fellows - I got to meet some wonderful counterparts from a diverse group of universities and overall backgrounds.  Spending time with them at the conferences, including the social interactions during and after our sessions, really solidified some wonderful relationships and dialogue sharing.

If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
The thing that I'm still learning is that there are many ways (and many jobs) that allow you to leave your mark on the world and give you personal and professional satisfaction.  I don't believe that there is just one job that does that.  I'm very fortunate for my career so far and what I plan it to become.