MORE ABOUT ME
Image: Joining the Women's March in Oakland with daughter and friends.
Image: 24-hour library for Barnard @Columbia Univ
Image: Elam family ice skating in Truckee.
Image: Husband voting during the overseas 2020 presidential primary.
Image: Elam family attending daughter's college graduation. (Family attended son's graduation was one month later.)
WHERE I GREW UP
First, I will state that I'm a Democrat. I was born in Pomona, California, in the same hospital as my mom and three older sisters. Before starting elementary school, we moved to the Bay Area. I've lived in Fairfield, Concord, and Oakley before settling in Antioch. I'm a graduate of Antioch High, class of '89. These years were filled with a parent's divorce, a move during junior year to Pismo Beach in Central California, and a return to Antioch for senior year - mention this because every curve ball inspired me to receive the challenge as an opportunity. During school, I worked throughout, led many student organizations and swam with both high school teams. In addition, I volunteered for a number of organizations, namely the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt to raise awareness about the AIDS epidemic sweeping the country. It was nearly a year after this work (1990) that three friends revealed that they were gay. My high school friends and I responded with 'we love you and who are you dating' - these wonderful people are still in my life. I love that the Bay Area is a place of love and acceptance.
COLLEGE IN NEW YORK
Due to issues with my financial aid, I had to defer the start of college. I moved to Seattle for six months, working two jobs (receptionist & barista) to save money and hope for a resolution to the funding issues. In January 1990, my financial aid was sorted and I was able to start my college career in New York City, studying Political Economy at Barnard College. During those four years, I worked two jobs (as a nanny and caterer) during the academic year and landed internships during the summers, and enjoyed life in the city that never sleeps.
Although I was fortunate enough to receive an academic scholarship, it only covered tuition - amazing and grateful for this but I graduated $34,000 in debt ($78,000 in today's dollars) due the cost of living in New York, books, food, etc. As a result, I truly understand the stress of student debt. If elected, I will work with Congress to help recent graduates pay their student loans - not blanket loan forgiveness but creative solutions to repay and simultaneously gain valuable work experience - structuring programs similar to Teach for America, but offering these in other sectors. Such as grants to biotech firms that need research technicians or nonprofits seeking support group leaders or city governments that need community organizers.
MANAGING A CAREER & RAISING A FAMILY
Following college, I began working for what was then a relatively new industry: business and IT consulting. It was back in the day when women had to wear stockings and skirts - pantsuit Friday was a big deal. My project assignments included healthcare, insurance, and financial services companies. This experience, and my many, many years of paying premiums, have given me great ideas for making health and insurance premiums more affordable. (Check Why I'm Running for details.)
Consulting is a tough profession for anyone wanting to raise a family. Weekly travel across timezones and very long days layer additional stresses on the body. As a result, I struggled with infertility for many years. Fortunately, I was able to get the needed healthcare and had boy/girl twins in early 2003. In 2025, both graduated college. Today, each live and work in the Bay Area. But, I have not forgotten those years of struggle. If elected, I'll work with Congress to protect access to IVF and all other family planning healthcare. (Check Why I'm Running for details.)
OVERSEAS, A MASTERS AND A RARE DISEASE
In 2017, my family had the opportunity to live for a period of time in The Netherlands. Since we wanted to raise our kids as global citizens, we took a leap of faith and moved. We have great memories from the experience but it was challenging.
The twins began high school and during their Sophomore year, I pursued a Masters program in International and European Governance at Leiden University in The Hague. Sitting on that side of the pond, "International" meant that our program spent time studying the U.S. political system, especially when the first Trump administration issued foreign policy by tweet and threatened to withdraw from NATO.
For my thesis, I researched the impact a state's Secretary of State (SOS) may have on the administration of elections. This was in stark contrast to the Dutch system in which election administration is managed by civil servants and not elected officials. What levers can the SOS pull to help or hinder voter participation. After graduation, I worked for Democrats Abroad and launched Women to Win, promoting women running for office in the 2020 election. My plan, at the time, was to return to the U.S. and either run for office or work on another candidate's campaign.
In the late summer of 2019, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and my daughter (two weeks later) was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare disease that leads vision loss and legal blindness. These life events redirected my next steps, and I began working for LightHouse for the Blind in San Francisco in early 2022. The work was incredibly rewarding - working for an organization that addressed the 70% unemployment rate among the blind and low vision community. I will use this experience to push legislation that increases workforce opportunities for individuals with disabilities, giving them access to meaningful careers.
WHAT DRIVES ME
Making the World a Better Place
In this political environment, the above statement probably sounds quaint and unrealistic. But, as you learn more about me and we get to know one another, I hope that you will see that I work everyday to make the world a better place. From the DIY projects around my house in Pleasanton to managing complex projects in both the for profit and nonprofit sectors, I believe that I'm the best candidate to lead the 14th District because I've lived a life very similar to its constituents, a life full of celebrations and challenges.