Team Member Spotlight: Elana

1) What do you do at AFS?

What do you love most about your position?

My first position with AFS was Intended Parent coordinator, which I did for 2.5 years. I loved being involved in the journeys and helping hopeful parents all the way through their journey until they had their baby in their arms. After coming back from maternity leave last year, I was able to take over the marketing coordinator role, which is more behind the scenes. I love that I'm still working with AFS and I love being able to plan our fun events and get-togethers as well as create content for our website. I just love being part of the magic!

2) Where were you born and raised? What brought you to Oregon?

I'm a Jersey girl through and through, born and raised in Northern NJ. I came to Oregon after living in Israel for 9 years. My husband and I wanted to live somewhere new and he got accepted into a Master's program here, so that made the choice pretty simple.

3) How would you describe yourself?

I'm an introvert, and I love spending quality time with people I love. I love to learn and have collected many different certifications and degrees along the way. And I'm still trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up!

4) What do you like doing in your spare time?

My most favorite thing to do is spend time outdoors with my husband and son. I'm a huge foodie, but we don't get out to restaurants as often as we did pre-baby. My most productive hobby is DIY and crafting; from fermenting to lip balms to knitting and quilting and lots in between. I also like indulging in some good (or wonderfully bad) TV or movies when there's time.

5) If you could posses one super-human power, what would it be?

The ability to tele-port. Traveling is a huge passion of mine, both for pleasure and to visit family and friends around the globe, but I hate airports and flying and travel time. So if I could just end up in another place when I wanted to, I'd love that!

6) If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

P-I-Z-Z-A... or being practical, Korean or Vietnamese food for the variety.