Galina Varchena

About Galina Varchena

I am so proud and grateful to have led the national Women\'s Law Center\'s birth control for a brief time. I stay led - but also learned so much from the absolutely brilliant people working with me on my team and across the whole Center. This work is never easy - And especially with an administration that is hell-bent on stripping people of their reproductive rights and autonomy, an administration that doesn\'t care about the direct and collateral damage its policies are causing to so many people nor the preventable deaths these policies are and will continue to cause - it is incredible to have other people dedicated to making the world a better place, people who are kind and determined, thoughtful and brilliant - working alongside each other and supporting each other everyday -) At ENDYNA, my focus was on delivering the best technical assistance to disadvantaged communities applying for EPA Community Change Grants, manage an internal SME team as well as 8 subcontractor firs and over 200 subcontractors from across the United States. As an attorney, I also served as a SME, reviewing community partnership agreements and responding to NOFO-related questions. At Birth In Color, my focus was on transforming advocacy into policy, particularly in the realm of reproductive justice. With a deep-seated commitment to social change, I have led our team through legislative victories that have cemented crucial health rights for women. Our accomplishments include securing a clear path to private insurance coverage for doula services and establishing a Black Maternal Health Week in Virginia.My expertise in health policy, Virginia politics and lobbying has been pivotal in promoting and passing progressive legislation. I have insured the integration of community healthcare perspectives into the Virginia Maternal Mortality Review Team\'s work, starting with a workgroup; ensuring a broader, more inclusive approach to health policy in the Commonwealth. My goal is to continue elevating the voices and needs of marginalized communities, ensuring that every policy victory is a step towards a more just and equitable society, and working to center justice and equity in all of my professional pursuits.

Experience

1. Policy Manager

   Center For Freethought Equality

   Feb 2026 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   As a Policy Manager at the Center for Freethought Equality, I focus on developing proactive policy proposals that address the crucial issue of church-state separation. My role involves representing the organization in various coalitions and leading the coordination efforts for the Association of Secular Elected Officials. This position allows me to engage with key stakeholders and advocate for secular governance in a meaningful way.

Education

• William & Mary

  Bachelor's of Arts

  2004 — 2008

• American University, Washington College of Law

  Juris Doctorate

  2008 — 2011

• AMERICAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

  Master's of Arts

  2008 — 2012

Skills

• Public Policy
• Administrative Law
• Ngos
• Legal Research
• Criminal Law
• Family Law
• International Relations
• Sustainable Development
• International Development
• Courts
• Public International Law
• Non-Profits
• International Humanitarian Law
• Nonprofits
• Research
• Civil Litigation
• Environmental Awareness
• Politics
• Foreign Policy
• Appeals
• Policy Analysis
• Environmental Policy
• Public Speaking
• Political Science
• Fundraising
• International Law
• Human Rights
• Climate Change
• Policy
• Legal Writing
• Litigation
• Environmental Law
• Westlaw
• Immigration Law