Elena M. Cross Joins GSL Public Strategies Group
HARRISBURG, PA, March 16, 2023 – GSL Public Strategies Group announced today that Elena M. Cross has joined as a Senior Advisor and will be based in the firm’s Harrisburg office.
Ms. Cross has significant experience coordinating and advancing legislative initiatives in Harrisburg. As former Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Governor Tom Wolf, she oversaw operations of 24 executive agencies, led the planning and implementation of the Governor’s strategic plan and worked closely with the General Assembly to advance budgetary, business and community investments, energy policy, tax reform, election reform, and public health goals.
Among numerous major initiatives that Ms. Cross helped guide from development to completion include the 2022-23 $45 billion budget process, Pennsylvania’s largest tax credit package for energy and advanced manufacturing development, COVID vaccine distribution, Pennsylvania’s Broadband Authority, regional economic hub development and business recruitment, as well as a regulatory and executive action agenda impacting civil rights and equity, the environment, and customer service and IT transformation. Ms. Cross also oversaw the development of risk management, process improvements and data management structures across state agencies. Having served as a liaison between various cabinet agencies, nonprofit organizations and public and private leaders, Ms. Cross understands how to collaborate to achieve a common objective.
Ms. Cross also has a depth of strategic knowledge about the organization and coordination of political and field programs for key caucus operations and races. Prior to her senior advisory career in the Governor’s Office, Ms. Cross held executive leadership roles in the Democratic Party and election organizations. She was Executive Director for Campaign for a Fresh Start, which coordinated the 2014 gubernatorial campaign and other Democratic campaign efforts; served as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party; and was Political Director for the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee.
Recognized among her peers, she was named among City and State’s “40 Under 40 State Leaders” in 2022 and PoliticsPA’s “Top PA Political Operatives” in 2014. She is a current Board Member on the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Board of Review.
Ms. Cross earned her B.A., magna cum laude, from The Pennsylvania State University.
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ABOUT GSL PUBLIC STRATEGIES GROUP
GSL Public Strategies Group, LLC (GSL) provides a complete range of government consulting, government relations and corporate and crisis communications services. Our experienced, bipartisan team of former Pennsylvania government and business leaders and public affairs professionals have unique expertise and broad experience. The team serves every client at the highest level possible, focusing on anticipating needs, planning strategically and executing plans that further our clients’ interests and help them to achieve their goals.
GSL is part of a platform of companies which includes Stevens & Lee, one of the 250 largest law firms in the country with more than 185 lawyers and 18 offices, ten of which are in Pennsylvania.
ABOUT THE STEVENS & LEE COMPANIES
The Stevens & Lee Companies is a platform of affiliated professional service firms that independently provide a full range of legal, investment banking, financial advisory, insurance risk management, public affairs and other government consulting services. For more information, visit https://www.gslpublicstrategies.com/our-companies/.
