Elissa S. Lee
2024-2025 Obama Foundation USA Leader
Senior Advisor, California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, State of California
Berkeley, California
Elissa S. Lee is the senior advisor for community engagement of California Volunteers, a program housed in the California Governor’s Office. In this role, she oversees the neighbor-to-neighbor initiative, fostering social connections in California neighborhoods to enhance community health and resilience. As both a researcher and a clinician, Elissa has led various physical and mental health initiatives across sectors, including awareness and action health campaigns for Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. She has designed chronic care and homelessness prevention programs for the Medicare Advantage Plan and the Senior Care Action Network. Elissa is also an accomplished author, having published a book and several articles on health disparities in underrepresented, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and disabled communities.
Meet the 2024-2025 United States Leaders
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Leaders
For emerging leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good.
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- The Center
- Building the Center
Join other Obama alumni in coming together to support the naming of the Water Garden at the Obama Presidential Center in honor of the life and legacy of President Obama’s mother, Ann Dunham—as a gift for the President’s 61st birthday.
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- Defending Democracy
- Leaders
- Watch
- Barack Obama
Watch President Obama share his vision for the Obama Presidential Center during a surprise visit with supporters and stakeholders—a vision for a public space that will honor history, help revitalize the South Side, and connect people throughout the communi
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