Professional Background
As a privacy, cybersecurity, and responsible AI attorney with over 20 years of legal, governance, and compliance leadership, Elaine knows how to navigate complex challenges, provide strong oversight, ask the hard questions, and govern processes and systems that protect people, all skills she'll bring directly to the board table.
Her first job was in the classroom, and that experience continues to shape how she thinks about students and teachers alike.
Education
Honors Bachelor of Arts (Political Science and Psychology) from Marquette University and Juris Doctor with Honors from Marquette University Law School
Community & Family
Elaine and her husband Eric, who works at the U of M, are Edina parents of three children. From an early age, Elaine’s parents instilled in her and her sisters the importance of learning and education, filling their lives with stories and books. When her family fled Nicaragua due to war, her parents continued to prioritize their three daughters’ education. Eventually, Elaine immigrated to the United States, finished high school in Wisconsin and pursued college and law school. Today, the values she and her husband instill in their children are to be kind, serve their community and care for others so we can build a better community and world.
Outside the Boardroom
When she's not working or volunteering, Elaine is most often found cheering on her kids and their teammates, reading, gardening, exploring the outdoors, traveling around the world, baking, or adding to her ever-growing collection of houseplants.
Commitment to Education & Service
Her first year out of college, Elaine taught in a inner-city school as part of a volunteer teaching corps, which shaped how she thinks about safety, excellence, the importance of mental health, and what students and teachers need to thrive. That commitment to service has stayed with her. Her career and volunteer work reflect the same common thread: showing up, listening thoughtfully, doing the work, and helping communities thrive. Elaine has served on the nonprofit board of directors of the United Community Center in Milwaukee and the International Institute of Minnesota. She stays active in our Edina and broader community through her parish, supporting Edina school activities and fundraisers, delivering groceries to home-bound neighbors, and supporting Moms Demand Action. She is also a supporter of the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association. Her entire family actively volunteers and you can often find them serving together in the community and beyond.
Global Perspective
Elaine grew up in Central America, attending school alongside students from across the globe. That experience taught her early on the value of global perspective, cross-cultural understanding, and clear communication and collaboration, lessons she carries with her today.
Native Spanish speaker, student of French and Italian, and lifelong learner
