Alena Junko Tansey joined Better Work in 2026, after 15 years as a U.S. Diplomat with USAID. She has worked in eight countries and lived in 14, managing large multi-million-dollar projects and portfolios. Most recently, she was in Bangladesh where she helped drive a comprehensive labour strategy, engaging government, private sector, and workers, including to reduce workplace violence and increase worker retention, which improve productivity and profits. 

She helped secure multi-donor funding for UN Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 16 (Strong Institutions). She has a diverse background working in the area of child rights, human trafficking, and improving government legal aid and legal migration systems. Alena also has a background in training design and delivery, disaster preparedness and response, and engaging diverse stakeholders in problem solving in diverse geographical contexts. 

Alena holds an M.A. in International Security Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a B.A. in International Relations from Wellesley College. She is fluent in English and Mandarin and proficient in French.