Lena Balata

Lena is a policy professional focused on social policy and equity for marginalized groups. She currently works as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Maytree Foundation, where she advocates for poverty reduction through income security and affordable housing. Lena previously worked in the Indigenous Education Branch of the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, contributing to policies supporting Indigenous communities. She also served as a Researcher at the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario, examining policy impacts on access and social mobility. Lena holds a Master’s in Higher Education, specializing in Indigenous education policy.