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

Tiffany Germain specializes in public policy analysis and political research, with a focus on food justice and strengthening California’s food systems. Her work centers on addressing food insecurity, expanding access to healthy school meals, and expanding initiatives that make California’s food system more equitable and sustainable.

Before joining NextGen Policy, Tiffany served as Deputy Research Director at NextGen America, where she focused on statewide and national political races. She previously worked as Research Manager for the Center for American Progress Action Fund in Washington, D.C., and on Capitol Hill for United States Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC), proudly serving the people of her home state of North Carolina.

Tiffany holds a BA in Political Science from East Carolina University and an MA in Public Management from Johns Hopkins University.

Pronouns: She, Her, Hers