Jelena Burgić Simmons
Director of Strategic Development and Editorial

Jelena leads the firm’s proposal strategy, editorial quality, and institutional growth. A trilingual linguist with 30 years of experience, Jelena has written, edited, and translated for bilateral and multilateral funders, nonprofits, foundations, and academic institutions. She brings deep expertise in multilingual communications, proposal development, and relationship management—making sure every client-facing deliverable reflects the firm’s editorial standards and the Humane Connection™ voice. Jelena oversees proposal pipelines, mentors contracted editors, and maintains the firm’s editorial infrastructure, including templates, style guides, and quality-control systems. Known for her linguistic rigor and care for clients' voice, she combines precision with strategic insight to position the firm competitively across sectors. Her command of English grammar, AP and Chicago style, and digital accessibility tools anchors her leadership in clarity, consistency, and inclusive communication.
