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.
YOUR SUPPORT TURNS HOPE INTO ACTION
Donate to the Barack Obama Foundation.
The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 46-4950751).
Meet the 2024-2025 United States Leaders
More about the Leaders Program

Leaders
For emerging leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good.
Learn More
- The Center
- Building the Center

- Defending Democracy
- Leaders

- Watch
- Barack Obama