Lauren Elfant

Prior to joining Public Allies, Lauren was the Deputy Director of U.S. Programs at the Center for Reproductive Rights and before that, Chief of Staff to Commissioner Carmelyn P. Malalis at the New York City Commission on Human Rights. In her position, Lauren served as advisor to the Commissioner and as a member of the executive team responsible for setting and implementing the Commission’s policy and legislative agenda. She also had a leadership role in building and supporting city-wide initiatives, proposing new initiatives and campaigns, and establishing relationships with community partners, elected officials, local businesses, and other stakeholders, as well as supporting general operations and management of the Commission. Prior to joining the Commission, Lauren worked as a staff attorney in the Community Development Project at the Urban Justice Center where she provided technical and legal support on consumer justice issues through affirmative and defensive litigation and policy advocacy. Lauren also worked as a Supervising Attorney and Team Leader at the Bronx Defenders in the Family Defense Practice where she engaged in extensive litigation on behalf of parents involved in the child welfare system.