Elena Perez has spent more than 15 years advancing racial, social, worker, and climate justice across the Puget Sound region as a community organizer and nonprofit leader. She brings deep experience in coalition building and relationship-centered philanthropy to support Magic Cabinet’s commitment to long-term, respectful, and collaborative partnerships.

As the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants, Elena is inspired by ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things—meeting adversity with dignity and strength to create lasting roots for themselves, their communities, and future generations.

As a Senior Program Officer, Elena is most excited about shifting philanthropy to center the leadership, wisdom, and lived experience of nonprofit and community leaders doing the essential work of organizing, building collective power, advancing self-determination, and creating thriving communities.