Leadership Overview
Urban Institute has 7 executives leading key functions including organizational strategy, operational oversight, human capital management, and research communications.
Committed to rigorous evidence-based analysis, Urban Institute advances public discourse by providing policymakers with data-driven insights to solve complex social and economic challenges across the United States.
Committed to rigorous evidence-based analysis, Urban Institute advances public discourse by providing policymakers with data-driven insights to solve complex social and economic challenges across the United States.
Leadership Roles at Urban Institute
Sarah Rosen - President and Trustee
Sarah Rosen, the President and Trustee at Urban Institute, defines the overarching strategic direction and research agenda for the organization. Rosen leads the institute's commitment to generating rigorous, nonpartisan analysis on critical social and economic policy questions. As the President and Trustee, Rosen collaborates with the Board to ensure that the organization's empirical research informs public discourse and guides policymakers toward effective solutions. This role involves representing the institute in national forums and engaging with stakeholders to address complex societal challenges. Sarah Rosen oversees the multidisciplinary teams of experts who conduct longitudinal studies and data-driven investigations. By setting the vision for the organization's research domains, the President and Trustee ensures that findings remain relevant to communities across diverse socioeconomic circumstances. Rosen drives the institute's mission to provide evidence-based insights that improve government effectiveness and economic opportunity. Through executive leadership, the President and Trustee maintains the organization's reputation for excellence in policy analysis and its dedication to addressing real-world problems.
Safiya Allsop - Deputy Chief of Staff
Safiya Allsop, the Deputy Chief of Staff at Urban Institute, coordinates high-level administrative workflows to support the organization's research mission. Allsop manages internal communications and facilitates cross-departmental collaboration to ensure alignment with strategic goals. By streamlining executive decision-making processes, the Deputy Chief of Staff enables researchers to focus on generating empirical evidence for social policy. Safiya Allsop monitors organizational performance metrics to maintain operational efficiency across the Washington headquarters. This role involves managing complex schedules and prioritizing institutional initiatives that address economic opportunity and housing market challenges. Through meticulous oversight of daily operations, the Deputy Chief of Staff fosters an environment conducive to high-impact policy analysis. Allsop maintains strong relationships with senior leadership to drive institutional progress. By optimizing internal resource allocation, the Deputy Chief of Staff supports the broader goal of informing public discourse through rigorous, data-driven investigation and longitudinal studies.
Justine Palacios - Deputy Chief of Staff & Operations Counsel
Justine Palacios, the Deputy Chief of Staff & Operations Counsel at Urban Institute, provides legal guidance and operational oversight for the organization's research activities. Palacios manages risk assessment protocols and ensures compliance with institutional policies during the execution of complex social studies. As the Deputy Chief of Staff & Operations Counsel, Palacios integrates legal frameworks into the operational strategy to protect the integrity of empirical research. This position involves navigating regulatory requirements while supporting the multidisciplinary teams of economists and social scientists. Justine Palacios facilitates the implementation of governance standards that guide the institute's work on health care access and government effectiveness. By bridging the gap between legal requirements and research objectives, the Deputy Chief of Staff & Operations Counsel ensures that all data-driven investigations remain robust and ethically sound. Palacios drives operational excellence by refining internal procedures and mitigating potential liabilities, thereby securing the long-term stability of the organization's research initiatives.
Kara Davis - Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer
Kara Davis, the Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer at Urban Institute, architects the digital infrastructure necessary for large-scale data analysis. Davis oversees the implementation of secure computing environments that allow researchers to conduct original data collection and statistical modeling. As the Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Davis manages the technological resources required to track outcomes across diverse socioeconomic circumstances. This role involves upgrading data management systems to support longitudinal studies and complex policy evaluations. Kara Davis collaborates with policy experts to ensure that information technology solutions align with the institute's research goals. By maintaining high-performance computing capabilities, the Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer enables the organization to process vast datasets efficiently. Davis drives innovation in data security and accessibility, ensuring that findings on education systems and economic opportunity remain accurate and protected. Through technical leadership, the Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer supports the institute's commitment to evidence-based insights.
Yasmin Kazzaz - Chief Operations Officer
Yasmin Kazzaz, the Chief Operations Officer at Urban Institute, directs the logistical and structural frameworks that sustain the organization's research output. Kazzaz oversees the allocation of financial and physical resources to support multidisciplinary teams working on critical social policy questions. As the Chief Operations Officer, Kazzaz optimizes internal processes to enhance the efficiency of data-driven investigations. This role involves managing the operational budget and ensuring that research centers have the necessary tools to conduct comprehensive studies. Yasmin Kazzaz coordinates with other C-suite leaders to align operational capacity with the institute's long-term strategic vision. By focusing on internal scaling and resource management, the Chief Operations Officer ensures that the organization maintains its position as a leader in empirical research. Kazzaz drives improvements in organizational effectiveness, allowing researchers to focus on addressing complex societal challenges. Through strategic oversight of daily operations, the Chief Operations Officer supports the delivery of nuanced findings that inform public discourse and guide policymakers toward effective solutions.
Yasmin Coronado - Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Administrative Officer
Yasmin Coronado, the Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Administrative Officer at Urban Institute, manages the talent acquisition and administrative functions essential for maintaining a high-caliber research workforce. Coronado oversees recruitment strategies to attract top economists and social scientists who contribute to the institute's multidisciplinary approach. As the Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Administrative Officer, Coronado fosters an inclusive culture that supports collaborative research on housing markets and government effectiveness. This role involves designing professional development programs that enhance the expertise of the research staff. Yasmin Coronado directs administrative policies that streamline workplace operations and ensure compliance with labor standards. By aligning human capital strategies with the organization's mission, the Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Administrative Officer ensures that the institute remains a hub for rigorous policy analysis. Coronado drives initiatives that promote employee engagement and retention, thereby sustaining the intellectual capital required to address complex societal challenges through evidence-based investigation and data-driven insights.
Shrita Hernandez - Chief Communications Officer & Vice President, Communications
Shrita Hernandez, the Chief Communications Officer & Vice President, Communications at Urban Institute, directs the dissemination of research findings to ensure maximum impact on public policy. Hernandez manages the organization's media strategy and public outreach efforts to translate complex data into accessible insights for policymakers and the general public. As the Chief Communications Officer & Vice President, Communications, Hernandez oversees the publication of comprehensive studies and evaluations that address health care access and economic opportunity. This role involves coordinating with research teams to craft compelling narratives that highlight the importance of empirical evidence in decision-making. Shrita Hernandez drives the institute's digital presence and engagement strategies to broaden the reach of its research. By managing the flow of information, the Chief Communications Officer & Vice President, Communications ensures that the organization's findings reach key audiences effectively. Hernandez supports the mission of informing public discourse by maintaining high standards for clarity and accuracy in all communications, thereby strengthening the institute's influence on societal challenges.
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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Urban Institute Top Executives and Leadership Team
