Meet Emiljana
Emiljana Ulaj was first elected to the Westchester County Board of Legislators in 2023. The 9th Legislative District includes the Towns of Cortlandt and Ossining, and the Villages of Briarcliff, Buchanan, Croton, and Ossining.
Upon her swearing-in, Emiljana was appointed to serve as the Chair of the Labor & Human Rights Committee, as well as a voting member of the Legislation, Law & Major Contracts, and Economic Development Committees. During her time in office, Emiljana has advanced County funding for affordable housing projects, sustainability initiatives, community non-profits, and so much more. Emiljana believes strongly that the role of government is to create the conditions for residents to thrive and self-actualize. As Chair of the Labor & Human Rights Committee, Emiljana is working on apprenticeship legislation to invest in the regional workforce, promoting the use of Project Labor Agreements throughout Westchester, and finding additional ways to support workers in the region. The LHR Committee has also explored the use of noncompete agreements and its impact on workers, healthcare challenges for nail salon workers, and how to combat the rise in antisemitism.
Emiljana Ulaj was first elected to the Westchester County Board of Legislators in 2023. The 9th Legislative District includes the Towns of Cortlandt and Ossining, and the Villages of Briarcliff, Buchanan, Croton, and Ossining.
Upon her swearing-in, Emiljana was appointed to serve as the Chair of the Labor & Human Rights Committee, as well as a voting member of the Legislation, Law & Major Contracts, and Economic Development Committees. During her time in office, Emiljana has advanced County funding for affordable housing projects, sustainability initiatives, community non-profits, and so much more. Emiljana believes strongly that the role of government is to create the conditions for residents to thrive and self-actualize. As Chair of the Labor & Human Rights Committee, Emiljana is working on apprenticeship legislation to invest in the regional workforce, promoting the use of Project Labor Agreements throughout Westchester, and finding additional ways to support workers in the region. The LHR Committee has also explored the use of noncompete agreements and its impact on workers, healthcare challenges for nail salon workers, and how to combat the rise in antisemitism.
Emiljana’s passion for public service started from an early age. Emiljana and her family fled Albania in 1997 in the midst of a civil war. After nearly a year spent as refugees, the family emigrated to the United States where they were granted asylum. The family settled in Northern Westchester, and Emiljana’s parents worked multiple jobs to ensure a stable family life. Emiljana’s father was lucky to find a union job at a local public school, represented by the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), that provided health insurance for the whole family and the financial security for the children to go to college and pursue fulfilling careers.
Seizing on this opportunity, Emiljana began a career focused on public service. Today, Emiljana works as a union organizer for the very same union, NYSUT, that gave her family so much. Having worked as a hands-on public advocate, staff member for the New York State Senate, and as a union organizer, Emiljana was ready to pay forward the opportunities afforded to her by advocating for others on the Westchester County Board of Legislators.
Emiljana is a graduate of John Jay High School in Westchester and Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson. Her work history includes serving as Director of Communications & Strategic Planning for State Senator Shelley B. Mayer, Communications Specialist for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ, and Regional Political Organizer for NYSUT. Emiljana also served on the New York State Democratic Party State Committee for Assembly District 95.
Emiljana’s passion for public service started from an early age. Emiljana and her family fled Albania in 1997 in the midst of a civil war. After nearly a year spent as refugees, the family emigrated to the United States where they were granted asylum. The family settled in Northern Westchester, and Emiljana’s parents worked multiple jobs to ensure a stable family life. Emiljana’s father was lucky to find a union job at a local public school, represented by the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), that provided health insurance for the whole family and the financial security for the children to go to college and pursue fulfilling careers.
Seizing on this opportunity, Emiljana began a career focused on public service. Today, Emiljana works as a union organizer for the very same union, NYSUT, that gave her family so much. Having worked as a hands-on public advocate, staff member for the New York State Senate, and as a union organizer, Emiljana was ready to pay forward the opportunities afforded to her by advocating for others on the Westchester County Board of Legislators.
Emiljana is a graduate of John Jay High School in Westchester and Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson. Her work history includes serving as Director of Communications & Strategic Planning for State Senator Shelley B. Mayer, Communications Specialist for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ, and Regional Political Organizer for NYSUT. Emiljana also served on the New York State Democratic Party State Committee for Assembly District 95.
