Born and raised in Milan, Elena Bruno completed her BA in Communications and Management for the Arts at IULM University in Milan, and went on to complete her MA in Technology Enhanced Communications in the Arts and Cultural Heritage field at the University of Lugano, in Switzerland.

After finishing her studies, Elena moved to London where she interned at The British Museum as facilitator of technology-mediating labs for school groups and researching and designing digital interpretations (mobile experiences) for preschool children. Elena then worked as project manager and content producer for a large multimedia tour company, leading creative and technical teams to produce multilingual mobile apps for some of the most prestigious art collections and tour destinations in the world.

After 3 years in London, Elena moved to the States in 2016. She continued to work for her previous employer on a freelance basis until she accepted a position as Google Arts & Culture Institute Coordinator in NYC where she experienced working in a large corporation, establishing and growing partnerships with US based museums, performing arts venues, and working on cutting edge digital multichannel projects.

Elena settled in Chicago in 2018. She is the mother of two children. She joined the SIEF community in 2023 as a parent, and became a founding member and president of Amici di SIEF parent group, which volunteers to promote community engagement and support the school's growth.

Throughout her career, Elena has always had a true passion for cooking and experimenting with food, trying also to keep her traditional Italian cooking skills alive, especially after leaving her home country and living abroad. In 2019, she gained a professional certification in Plant Based Cooking from ROUXBE Online Culinary School. Elena has officially joined SIEF as school Chef and is highly committed to continuing the development of SIEF’s organic, non-GMO menus, and to bringing her own signature, home cooked dishes to our students’ tables.