Urban Institute Executive and Leadership Team

Sarah Wartell, the President and Trustee at Urban Institute, provides overarching strategic leadership and vision for the organization's nonpartisan research and policy analysis. Wartell guides the institute's commitment to generating rigorous, evidence-based insights that address critical social and economic policy questions. This leadership role is instrumental in shaping the institute's research agenda and ensuring its continued impact on public discourse and policymaking. By directing the organization's strategic priorities, Sarah Wartell fosters a collaborative environment that supports multidisciplinary approaches to complex societal challenges. The president's responsibilities include overseeing the institute's financial health, stakeholder engagement, and the integrity of its empirical research and data-driven investigations. Wartell's vision and executive direction are fundamental to Urban Institute's mission of providing objective analysis that informs solutions for communities and individuals.

Justine Palacios, the Deputy Chief of Staff & Operations Counsel at Urban Institute, directs critical operational functions and provides legal counsel for the organization's extensive research initiatives. Palacios oversees the strategic alignment of internal operations with the institute's mission to generate evidence-based insights on social and economic policy. This leadership role involves ensuring compliance with legal frameworks and optimizing resource allocation across various research departments. By managing operational efficiency, Justine Palacios supports the multidisciplinary approach that Urban Institute employs to tackle complex societal challenges. The counsel's responsibilities extend to advising on policy implications and risk management, thereby safeguarding the integrity and impact of the institute's empirical research and data-driven investigations. Palacios's oversight ensures that the organization's operational backbone is robust, enabling seamless execution of studies that inform public discourse and guide policymakers toward effective solutions.

Kara Davis, the Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer at Urban Institute, spearheads the technological infrastructure and digital strategy supporting the organization's nonpartisan research. Davis manages the implementation of advanced data management systems and cybersecurity protocols essential for protecting sensitive research data. This role is pivotal in enabling the institute's commitment to rigorous analysis and evidence-based insights on critical social and economic policy questions. By ensuring the reliability and security of information systems, Kara Davis empowers research teams to conduct empirical investigations and statistical analyses effectively. The director's focus includes driving innovation in data utilization and fostering a technologically advanced environment that supports the institute's multidisciplinary approach to policy analysis. Davis's leadership ensures that Urban Institute's technological capabilities remain at the forefront, facilitating comprehensive studies and evaluations that inform public discourse.

Helen Behnke-Hanson, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research & Programs at Urban Institute, orchestrates the strategic direction and execution of the institute's extensive research portfolio. Behnke-Hanson ensures that the organization's empirical research and data-driven investigations align with its mission to address complex societal challenges. This leadership position involves coordinating multidisciplinary teams of economists, social scientists, and policy experts to produce comprehensive studies and evaluations. By overseeing program development and research methodologies, Helen Behnke-Hanson enhances the institute's capacity to generate nuanced findings that reflect real-world problems. The deputy chief's responsibilities include fostering collaboration among research units and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality analysis that informs public discourse and guides policymakers toward effective solutions. Behnke-Hanson's strategic oversight is fundamental to maintaining Urban Institute's reputation for rigorous and impactful policy analysis.

Yasmin Kazzaz, the Chief Operations Officer at Urban Institute, drives the operational efficiency and strategic execution of the organization's core functions. Kazzaz oversees the integration of resources and processes to support the institute's commitment to rigorous analysis and evidence-based insights on social and economic policy. This executive role is critical in ensuring that the institute's infrastructure effectively supports its multidisciplinary research approach and its mission to address complex societal challenges. By optimizing operational workflows and resource management, Yasmin Kazzaz enhances the capacity for empirical research, data collection, and statistical analysis. The chief operations officer's purview includes managing facilities, procurement, and operational support services, all vital for the seamless functioning of research teams. Kazzaz's leadership ensures that Urban Institute can consistently deliver comprehensive studies and evaluations that inform public discourse and guide policymakers toward impactful solutions.

Yasmin Coronado, the Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Administrative Officer at Urban Institute, directs the strategic management of human capital and administrative functions. Coronado ensures that the institute cultivates a supportive and high-performing work environment, essential for its rigorous research and policy analysis endeavors. This dual role encompasses overseeing talent acquisition, employee development, and the administration of organizational policies to align with Urban Institute's mission. By managing these critical areas, Yasmin Coronado supports the multidisciplinary teams of experts who generate evidence-based insights on complex societal challenges. The chief administrative officer's responsibilities also include ensuring the efficient operation of administrative services that underpin the institute's empirical research and data-driven investigations. Coronado's leadership is vital for fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration, enabling Urban Institute to effectively inform public discourse and guide policymakers.

Shrita Hernandez, the Chief Communications Officer & Vice President, Communications at Urban Institute, leads the strategic dissemination of research findings and organizational messaging. Hernandez ensures that the institute's evidence-based insights on social and economic policy reach key audiences, including policymakers and the public. This executive role is crucial for translating complex empirical research into accessible narratives that inform public discourse and drive policy change. By overseeing all communication channels and strategies, Shrita Hernandez amplifies the impact of Urban Institute's work on critical societal challenges. The chief communications officer's responsibilities include managing media relations, digital communications, and content development to effectively convey the institute's mission and research outcomes. Hernandez's leadership ensures that Urban Institute's rigorous analysis and data-driven investigations are effectively communicated, fostering informed decision-making.

Ragan Tysvaer, the Director, Center Operations at Urban Institute, manages the day-to-day operational activities that support the institute's research centers and programs. Tysvaer ensures that operational processes are streamlined to facilitate the rigorous analysis and data-driven investigations central to Urban Institute's mission. This role is essential for providing the necessary administrative and logistical support that enables economists, social scientists, and policy experts to conduct their work effectively. By overseeing resource allocation and operational planning within research centers, Ragan Tysvaer contributes to the efficient execution of studies and evaluations. The director's focus includes enhancing operational effectiveness to support the institute's commitment to addressing complex societal challenges through evidence-based insights. Tysvaer's operational management is key to maintaining the high standards of research output that inform public discourse and guide policy decisions.