As founder and CEO of AnereS Strategies, Serena has advised over twenty national and international public, nonprofit and corporate entities in the areas of public policy, advocacy, coalition building, legislative & regulatory affairs, strategic planning, reimbursement strategy development, marketing and forecasting, and organizational development. During this period, served as interim Executive Director for TASH (international disability rights organization), led the Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC), and advised the Olmstead Court Monitor in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Also consulted with the Center for Public Representation, National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals, National MLTSS Health Plans Association, and several federal agencies (HHS, DOJ, DOL) and state entities (Maine, Maryland, Illinois). Currently supporting Olmstead enforcement efforts within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and OCR's Olmstead Revitalization Initiative, as well as offering branded advocacy training programs to individuals with disabilities and their families in partnership with various federally-funded aging and disability entities across the country.

Provide subject matter expertise, training and technical assistance to support the Office of Civil Rights within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in successful implementation of its Olmstead Revitalization Initiative. Duties include advising OCR's regional investigators and legal teams on potential solutions and remedies specific to official complaints, as well as support the development of new sub-regulatory policy guidance and technical assistance to state Medicaid agencies and their sub-operational entities.

Supported organization’s quest to facilitate high-quality integrated care and home and community based services to members with complex health challenges and long term supports and services needs. Conceived, designed, and supported the ongoing testing, implementation and evaluation of value-based models, policies and programs that help individuals with disabilities leverage their inner strengths, social capital, and community resources to work, live and thrive. Forged dynamic strategic partnerships intended to disrupt legacy systems and realize tremendous improvements in quality outcomes at an individual, plan, and systems level. Assisted community-based organizations, Medicaid state agencies and national/federal entities in tackling some of the greatest challenges in complex health and LTSS of our time, including issues related to systemic inequity, workforce shortages, provider capacity, social determinants of health, and technological barriers. Also co-led the Institute for Relational Health, a signature initiative of CareSource focused on elevating relational health strategies as a cornerstone of public health. Promoted a strong internal work culture reflective of our mission and focused on supporting colleagues live their best lives through mindfulness, balance and kindness.

Provided interim executive leadership during national search for next long-term leader. During this time, led the YES! Center and successfully pursued the ACL-funded Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center. Also supported the team to implement the fifth (and first virtual) Olmsted Legal Disability Leadership Symposium and annual TASH conference.

Served as the lead ACL liaison to HHS on Medicaid policy related to home and community based services (HCBS). Served on the CMS HCBS implementation team responsible for supporting states in the successful implementation of CMS’ federal HCBS requirements. Also provided technical assistance to states to support successful expansion of community options through various Medicaid 1915/1115 authorities, as well as through the alignment of policies, practice and payment toward evidence-based person-centered models of service delivery. Co-led the initial work behind the first CMS HCBS Recommended Quality Measure Set. Provided strategic guidance and policy expertise on a number of federal initiatives within the Administration on Aging, Administration on Disabilities and the Independent Living Administration to promote advancement of low-income older adults, individuals with disabilities, and other subpopulations with multiple barriers to the economic mainstream. Provided technical assistance to state governments, federal partners, community rehabilitation providers, and federally-funded aging & disability resource networks on promising practices and strategies for the effective delivery of home and community based services to support individuals in the areas of employment, independent living, social inclusion and community engagement. Finally, served in a detail capacity as the ACL legislative liaison on an array of policy issues to HHS’ Assistant Secretary on Policy and Evaluation, Congress, GAO and HHS’ Office of the Inspector General.

Advise the Assistant Secretary of ODEP on public policy issues aimed at improving the socioeconomic advancement of citizens with disabilities and other at-risk populations. Also responsible for managing several national systems-change initiatives, including the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program, working with over 30 state government teams to effectuate cross-systems change efforts focused on helping people with disabilities attain competitive integrated employment and achieve optimal socioeconomic independence. Policy areas of emphasis included reform of publicly-funded long term supports and services; economic modeling; employer relations; employment marketing campaigns; job development strategies; school-to-work youth transition strategies; and workforce development program implementation. Also supported collaborative policy initiatives with U.S. Departments of Commerce, Education, Health & Human Services, State, Treasury, and Veteran Affairs as well as the Small Business Administration, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, Employment & Training Administration, and Bureau of International Labor Affairs.

As founder and CEO of AnereS Strategies, Serena advised over twenty national and international nonprofit and corporate entities in the areas of public policy, advocacy, coalition building, legislative & regulatory affairs, strategic planning, reimbursement strategy development, marketing and forecasting, and organizational development.

Recognizing the impending crisis regarding the needs of adults living with significant disabilities, the Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination (CPSD) was co-founded to bring together over 15 of the nation's leading disability organizations with the vision of ensuring that every adult age 18 and over living with significant disabilities requiring ongoing support needs has the opportunity, encouragement, and support required to lead an independent, productive quality of life. The CPSD's primary objective is to advocate for high-impact, revolutionary public policy reform aimed at encouraging adults living with significant disabilities to work, save, and engage meaningfully within their communities without the fear of losing long-term supports. The Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination is focused on promoting opportunities and eliminating barriers to employment, asset development, savings, and long-term supports for adults with significant disabilities.

Reporting to the Vice President of Worldwide Intensive Diabetes Management Marketing (IDM), managed the development and implementation of global reimbursement & health policy strategies for Abbott Diabetes Care (ADC), the fastest-growing international medical products division of Abbott Laboratories.

Provided consulting services in the areas of public policy, advocacy, & strategic planning in Top 25 national government relations firm. Managed the government relations portfolios and implementation project teams of ten national organizations in the fields of health, education, and community development. With a primary focus on health care policy & biomedical research, Serena worked with some of the nation’s leading biopharmaceutical innovation companies and disability advocacy organizations combining her public policy and reimbursement expertise to accelerate adoption of and access to cutting edge technologies in several therapeutic areas (reproductive health, diabetes & metabolic endocrinology, neurodegenerative diseases, oncology, and intellectual/psychiatric disabilities). Serena leveraged her keen political perception and policy subject matter expertise to help drive greater access to quality health care and empower individuals living with chronic, disabling conditions to lead productive lives filled with opportunity and choice. During her time at B&D Consulting, Serena also founded and directed the Coalition for Children's Health, an advocacy coalition responsible for the successful passage of the landmark Children's Health Act of 2000.

Took 4-month sabbatical to complete a unique graduate research fellowship opportunity, providing support to innovative medical technology sharing collaborative between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Also competed an international literature review of studies looking at the costs associated with treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which led to the co-published article entitled, "Cost Effectiveness of Treatments for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis" with Dr. Gary Ginsberg in the May 2002 issue of Pharmacoeconomics (May 2002, Volume 20, Issue 6, pp 367–387). http://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00019053-200220060-00002?no-access=true

Managed all legislative and appropriations activities related to health care, seniors, welfare, international & domestic economic/workforce development, housing and government reform. Also served as primary legislative staff liaison for the Congresswoman in her role on the House DC Appropriations Subcommittee, as well as in her role as co-chair of the Congressional Rural Caucus. Drafted the Healthy Kids Act (which eventually became the foundation of the Children's Health Act of 2000), and managed the bipartisan introduction of the Safe Motherhood Monitoring & Prevention Research Act, Prescription Drug Parity Act, and the Home Health Equity Act.

Provided all research and policy support to the Congressman on issues related to health care, education, housing, banking, and transportation. Served as key legislative aide advising Congressman in his roles on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution and Civil Justice, the House Agriculture Committee, and as co-chair of the Congressional Family Caucus.

Conducted policy analysis and legislative research on a number of issues related to the MP's platform on agriculture, education, health & safety, and international trade. Supported the MP in his role at the time as Shadow Secretary of Education (he is now the Chairman of the House of Commons Education & Skills Select Committee). Also assisted in managing the All-Party Parliamentary Manufacturing Group, as well as Policy Connect (a cross-party, not-for-profit based in London that regularly hosts seminar events and research inquiries).