Meet the AHSC Interns: Elsa Tamayo at Sienna House

At Siena House, a local non-profit that supports mothers in need, Elsa Tamayo brings creativity and compassion to her role as a Marketing and Communications Intern. Graduating in May 2025 from California State University, Monterey Bay with a degree in Collaborative Health and Human Services, concentrating in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management, “I’ve always enjoyed using creativity and communication to support community-focused organizations,” she shared.

At Siena House, Elsa plays a vital role in advancing the organization’s mission to uplift mothers and their babies. “At Siena House, I help manage the organization’s marketing and outreach efforts. A typical day includes creating content calendars, designing posts on Canva, and working on website updates,” she said. “I also collaborate closely with our office manager to plan and schedule social media content that highlights Siena House’s mission and impact.”

Siena House’s mission is deeply aligned with Elsa’s passion for community support. “Siena House provides an environment of health, stability, and support to mothers and their babies so that new families can start off on the right foot,” the organization states. “Our participants have access to resources and programs that put them on the path to self-sufficiency and independence, while emphasizing their well-being. Our mission is to give new mothers experiencing homelessness a solid foundation as parents, and their babies the best start in life, by providing a supportive environment throughout pregnancy and a baby’s critical first year of development.”

Currently, Elsa is focusing on expanding Siena House’s digital reach and engagement. “Right now, I’m working on strategies to expand Siena House’s outreach to younger donors through engaging social media content and storytelling,” she explained. “I’m also developing ideas for upcoming posts and campaigns that showcase the impact of Siena House’s programs.”

Through her internship, Elsa has gained valuable insights into the intersection of communication and community impact. “Working at Siena House has taught me how powerful communication can be in connecting people to a cause,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot about balancing creativity with strategy when it comes to nonprofit marketing. What I enjoy most is seeing how our content helps inspire more people to get involved and support Siena House’s mission.”

When she’s not designing campaigns or building connections online, Elsa enjoys personal time with friends and family. “In my free time, I like going to the gym, shopping with my sister, and occasionally going on hikes with my friend.”

Elsa’s work at Siena House shows how digital communication can help strengthen community bonds and create lasting change for families in need.