Director of Community Engagement at Through the Pain, Inc.
Elsa Franco
Director of Community Engagement at Through the Pain, Inc.
Elsa Franco is a compassionate leader and Marketing Strategist & Consultant with nearly two decades of experience in retail Marketing, Community & Public Relations and Corporate Event Planning & Management. A brand ambassador; she has established credibility for brands locally, supporting and executing the local adaptation of Brand and Marketing strategies and plans with a focus on communications, community partnership, event activations, Cause Marketing/Fundraising and store support/Grand Opening & Re-openings.
She shares a genuine passion for connecting people and organizations with resources that build capacity and sustainability, being a voice for marginalized communities, and supporting, empowering & uplifting other women. She is fearless in challenging the status quo, creatively problem solves to drive results, and curious in seeking ways to learn from and to embrace others for their unique qualities.
Elsa is a mother of 2, including a 7-year-old male Sickle Cell Warrior. She is a Writer, Speaker, Philanthropist and Sickle Cell Advocate collaborating with patient advocacy groups, community-based organizations, healthcare professionals, legislators and key stakeholders to support much needed advocacy, innovative programs, treatment, education and awareness activities for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).
She is the Founder of Hope in Affliction whose mission is to be a voice of encouragement, inspiration and hope for new parents and caregivers of Sickle Cell & Trait Warriors on this unpredictable and agonizing journey that affects the whole person and entire familial dynamics. She envisions a cure for all in the near future and to that end is working diligently to humanize SCD, mobilize and amplify the power of our collective voices ensuring that those afflicted by SCD & Trait carriers have a front row seat at the education, legislation, policy, research and curative therapy & treatment tables. She has assembled a community of informed Caregivers and Warriors globally by providing a platform to come together to share our unique experiences, resources, network and empower one another to thrive.
Elsa is the Director of Community Engagement at Through the Pain, Inc. and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Sickle Cell Association, is an Ambassador for Sick Cells, a part of the network for the Global Alliance of Sickle Cell Disease Organizations.
She currently resides in Massachusetts with her beloved family. She enjoys cooking, reading, home décor & renovation projects, traveling and creating memories with friends and family in her spare time.