Alena co-directs the Systems Redesign Collective that focuses on transforming home- and community-based service (HCBS) systems. Alena brings to this work over twenty years of experience in the field of disability advocacy and is passionate about building systems that promote equity and opportunity for self-determination. For the last decade, Alena has focused on working directly with governmental agencies to protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities through development and implementation of realistic and sustainable policies. Currently, she directs large-scale projects in Indiana and Idaho focused on broad systems change.
Prior to joining HSRI, Alena was with Disability Rights Oregon, where her work focused on advocating with and on behalf of people with disabilities through a legal framework. Her day-to-day work remains heavily informed by her years of experience as a direct support professional, independent living specialist, day program specialist, personal agent, and as a community educator coordinator at Wild Bill’s Coffeeshop in Iowa City, Iowa, a coffee shop created and operated by adults with disabilities.
When not at work, Alena can be found coordinating all things for her multi-generational household, listening to audiobooks while snuggling her very naughty dachshund, or at a 6 a.m. water aerobics class.
I love getting into the weeds of policy and practice arm-in-arm with states. Being able to do that while always, first and foremost, staying true to my values as a disability advocate is what makes HSRI the perfect place for me.
Alena Vazquez
Education
- Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law
- Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa School of Social Work
- Bachelor of Arts in English, women’s studies, and ethnic studies from Cornell College