Elena is a State Senator, attorney, and progressive champion. First elected in 2010 as one of 12 Democrats in the nation to unseat a Republican incumbent, Elena focused her efforts in her first term on government transparency and ethics, including independent redistricting.
After being targeted by Republicans during the once-a-decade redistricting, Elena continued her public service as the Executive Director of Georgia Watch, the state’s leading consumer rights non-profit.
Elected to the State Senate in 2014, Elena has focused on improving access to early childhood education and health care, promoting common-sense gun safety measures, and creating an economy that works for everyone. In 2020, Elena was elected Chairwoman of the Democratic Caucus, one of the top leaders, after serving two years as the Vice Chair of Campaigns and Fundraising for the Georgia Senate Democratic Caucus.
Senator Parent began her career as a litigation attorney at Eversheds Sutherland LLP and she is active in her community. She is a proud graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Virginia School of Law.
Senator Parent is active in her community, serving currently on the Board of Trustees of The Friends School of Atlanta, the Advisory Board of the Olmsted Linear Parks Association, and as an Emory University Ambassador. Senator Parent is an active volunteer with many other organizations, past and present. Senator Parent’s awards and recognitions include: Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Who's Who Sustainability” feature for her leadership on energy and environmental policy issues; the Fulton County Daily Report’s “On the Rise”; the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “40 Under 40”; ACCG’s Legislative Service Award; and the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers’ “Leading Lady” Award.
Senator Parent traces her core beliefs – the importance of family, making the community a better place for all and advocating for and providing help to people who are less fortunate – to her upbringing in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol where her parents stressed the importance of faith and public service.
Senator Parent is married to her husband, Briley, and they are the parents of two sons. They are members of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Atlanta.
“ELENA HAS A PROVEN RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT ON THESE ISSUES AND WAS KNOWN FOR BEING ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE PROGRESSIVE LEADERS AT THE STATE CAPITOL.”
At-A-Glance
★ Experience
State Representative
Serving DeKalb County, elected in 2010 – one of only 12 Democratic officials to unseat an incumbent Republican that year nationwide.
Chief of Staff
State Senator David Adelman (D-District 42), also former Ambassador to Singapore.
Director of Development
HOPE Atlanta (Travelers Aid of Metropolitan Atlanta), a not-for-profit dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
Litigator
Holcomb + Ward, LLP
Eversheds Sutherland in Atlanta.
Co-founder and co-chair
Women attorneys' Affinity Group, ambassador for the firm’s annual United Way campaign
★ community
Member
All Saints’ Episcopal Church
Volunteer
with the Atlanta affiliate of Everybody Wins!, a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting children’s literacy.
Board of Directors
It's the Journey Inc., which produces the 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer and has raised more than $6 million dollars for Atlanta-area breast cancer organizations.
Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL) Foundation Board, which oversees community service for GAWL.
Women and Minorities in the Profession Committee of the State Bar of Georgia
★ education
University of Virginia
Graduated with Highest Distinction and was admitted into Phi Beta Kappa and the Golden Key National Honor Society.
University of Virginia
School of Law
Top 10 percent of her class.