Steven Olender

Steven Olender is a dedicated professional with a strong background in child welfare, mental health policy, and community advocacy. Currently serving as a Senior Policy Associate at the Children's Defense Fund, Steven focuses on ensuring children have nurturing environments to thrive in. His work involves understanding the effects of trauma on child development and advocating for improved responses within the child protection system. Steven's educational background includes a Master's in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School and a Bachelor's from New York University. Prior to his current role, Steven gained valuable experience at various organizations, including the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, CASA of Travis County, SafePlace, and United Way for Greater Austin.