Elena Tamanas Project Coordinator Elena Tamanas has a background in organizational and community psychology. She comes to OMG with experience in program design, organizational and systemic interventions, and qualitative research. Her work has focused primarily on academic achievement, community empowerment, and group relational dynamics. Elena's current work at OMG includes evaluations of the Fund for the City of New York Youth Development Institute's Beacons Young Adolescent Initiative which helps Beacon partners increase involvement of and improve developmental outcomes for middle-school aged youth involved in their out-of-school time activities and the Coming of Age initiative which builds capacity of individuals and community-based organizations to participate in civic opportunities for people 50+ through outreach and education. Before joining OMG, Elena designed and delivered educational and civic engagement programs for Rutgers University students through their Student Services department. She also recently was part of a team that evaluated the leadership styles and communication effectiveness of a mid-sized school district in New Jersey. Elena was previously employed by Teach For America, a national non-profit committed to closing the educational achievement gap in the United States. Additionally, she has completed research projects on indicators of social responsibility and body dysmorphic issues in male athletes. Elena holds honors degrees in psychology and sociology from Rutgers College. She is currently a doctoral candidate in organizational psychology at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology of Rutgers University. < Return to Staff Listing