Yelena was born in Narva, Estonia, and moved to Whatcom County when she was four. Growing up in a multicultural home, she became bilingual and developed a love for connecting with people from different backgrounds. After graduating from Ferndale High School, she attended Whatcom Community College before transferring to Washington State University, where she earned a degree in Psychology with a minor in English.
Her career has always been centered around people. She spent over 10 years as a barista—a job she still enjoys helping with from time to time—before deciding to try something new. She enrolled in the Legal Care Center Academy, where her instructor, who was also a practicing attorney, saw her potential and offered her a job. That opportunity sparked her journey in the legal field.
For more than nine years, Yelena has worked in law, spending over six years as a personal injury paralegal before shifting into worker’s compensation and personal injury. She’s passionate about helping people through difficult situations and making sure they feel heard and supported.
Life outside of work keeps her just as busy! As a proud mom of two—a one-year-old and an eleven-year-old—she spends most of her free time with her family and friends. She loves traveling, hiking, cooking, trying new foods, and jumping into new adventures whenever she can.