Shalena Critchlow is a California Native and is a descendant of the Luiseno Rincon Band of Indians and the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel. She has three children, one of whom has served in the United States Marine Corps, and she was a military spouse during the war in Iraq. Currently, she is pursuing a degree in Business Administration.

In her advocacy work, Shalena focuses on empowering Indigenous communities by promoting education, cultural preservation, and economic development. She believes that by retaining their traditions and culture, Indigenous peoples can strengthen their identities and foster resilience against the challenges they face.