Eleena is currently Vice-Dean (Strategy and Future State) of the School of Social Work and Social Development, SUSS.

Eleena is a member of the Singapore Administrative Service with over a decade of experience in government spanning roles across various sectors, including in governance, security, social and transport. She was most recently with the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) where she formulated policies to address online harms and harmful AI-generated content.

Eleena was previously with the Land Transport Authority (Jul 2023 – Mar 2024), where she authored a book on Singapore’s journey with electric vehicles, highlighting the strategic decisions and policy approaches taken to promote sustainable transport. Prior to that, Eleena was with the Chandler Institute (2021 – 2022), where she spearheaded a project to develop synchronous and asynchronous training materials on public policy and strategic planning for high-potential civil servants in Kenya.

Eleena was previously a Lead Researcher in the Institute of Governance and Policy of the Civil Service College (CSC) (2019 – 2021), where she led a team to research and develop training programmes and materials for international relations officers. Eleena was previously a policy officer in a Home Team Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs (2018 – 2019), overseeing policies relating to internal security. Prior to that, she held the role of Assistant Director in the Institute of Public Sector Leadership of the CSC (2015 – 2017), where she developed a leadership development roadmap for public officers. Eleena was previously an Assistant Director in the Policy Development Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (2011 – 2014). She oversaw legislation and policies relating to race, religion and politics, drug education and rehabilitation, and the death penalty. She also oversaw the implementation of the Protection from Harassment Act, and amendments to the Police Force Act.

Eleena also served as a Social Assistance Policy Officer (2009 – 2011) overseeing policies relating to low-income families, including programmes to strengthen community support for the needy (e.g. ComCare and other social sector initiatives). During this posting, Eleena participated in a Design Thinking project to develop a more holistic approach to social support.

Eleena is an alumna of the University of York and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP). Eleena was a recipient of the Public Service Commission Overseas Merit Scholarship in 2004.