Elia Zedeno

Elia Zedeño was born in Cuba. She is thankful that she and her family were able to take one of the last liberty flights to the United States in 1971. She resides in New Jersey with two seniors, her alpha dog, Joshu, and a highly tolerant cat named Leyla. Ms. Zedeño is a survivor of the February 26, 1993, bombing, as well as the attacks on September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center, where she worked for over 21 years in the North Tower. 

Ms. Zedeño is currently employed as the Engineering Department’s Program Director of Finance at the Port Authority of NY & NJ. For several years, she volunteered and served on the Executive and Steering Committees of the World Trade Center Survivors’ Network (WTCSN), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to uniting the global community of terrorism victims. Ms. Zedeño also volunteered as a docent for the Tribute Center in Lower Manhattan, where she led walking tours for visitors. 

Ms. Zedeño studied at the New York Graduate School of Psychoanalysis in Manhattan. In addition, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree with cum laude recognition in business management and a minor in psychology from St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ. She is a member of Toastmasters International and holds the titles of Competent Toastmaster and Competent Leader. 

Ms. Zedeño’s hobbies include serving her community as a TNR (trap, neuter & return) representative, where she helps control the homeless cat population in Hudson County. She also volunteers fostering and socializing cats for two not-for-profit cat rescue organizations such as The Lucky Cat Rescue and North Bergen Purr. Ms. Zedeño also enjoys learning about the best ways to optimize her health and the health of her pets. She enjoys reading, Yoga, and Zen meditation. She credits her experiences and the variety of people she has met for contributing to the person she is today.