Urban Institute Executive and Leadership Team

Sarah Rosen, the President and Trustee at Urban Institute, defines the strategic vision and long-term goals for the organization's research agenda. Leading the institute's commitment to nonpartisan, evidence-based analysis, the President and Trustee guides the multidisciplinary teams in addressing the most pressing social and economic policy questions. Sarah Rosen engages with policymakers, stakeholders, and the public to ensure that the institute's findings inform critical discourse and lead to effective societal solutions. This role involves overseeing the governance of the organization and maintaining its reputation for rigorous, high-quality research. By fostering a collaborative environment, the President and Trustee enables economists and social scientists to examine interconnected policy challenges from multiple perspectives. This position requires a deep dedication to the institute's mission of generating insights that improve lives. Through visionary leadership, the President and Trustee drives the organization's impact, ensuring that research remains a cornerstone of informed public policy and effective government action.

Laura Cortés, the Chief of Staff at Urban Institute, directs organizational strategy and coordinates high-level initiatives across the research enterprise. By aligning departmental goals with the broader mission of generating evidence-based insights, the Chief of Staff ensures operational cohesion. Laura Cortés manages executive workflows, facilitating communication between leadership teams to optimize the impact of policy research. This role involves overseeing cross-functional projects that address economic opportunity and government effectiveness. Through meticulous planning and resource allocation, the Chief of Staff supports the institute in maintaining its reputation for rigorous, nonpartisan analysis. By bridging the gap between research objectives and administrative execution, the Chief of Staff drives the organization toward its long-term goals. This leadership position requires constant engagement with diverse policy domains, ensuring that every internal process contributes to the production of high-quality, actionable data for policymakers across the United States.

Helen Behnke-Hanson, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research & Programs at Urban Institute, manages the integration of empirical research projects with programmatic objectives. Overseeing the alignment of longitudinal studies and data collection efforts, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research & Programs ensures that research teams maintain high standards of methodological rigor. Helen Behnke-Hanson facilitates collaboration among economists and social scientists to address complex issues like health care access and housing markets. This role involves monitoring the progress of various policy interventions to measure effectiveness and outcomes. By streamlining research workflows, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research & Programs enables the organization to produce nuanced findings that reflect real-world complexities. This position requires deep coordination with senior researchers to translate data-driven insights into public-facing policy recommendations. Through this oversight, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research & Programs secures the integrity and relevance of the institute's extensive research portfolio.

Kara Davis, the Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer at Urban Institute, architects the digital infrastructure necessary for large-scale data analysis and secure research operations. Managing the technological framework that supports empirical investigation, the Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer ensures that research teams possess the tools required for complex statistical modeling. Kara Davis oversees cybersecurity protocols and data management systems, protecting sensitive information while facilitating efficient collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. This role involves modernizing IT systems to support longitudinal studies and real-time data processing. By optimizing the technological environment, the Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer enables the institute to maintain its competitive edge in policy research. This position requires constant innovation to keep pace with evolving data requirements in fields like education systems and economic opportunity. Through strategic technology deployment, the Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer empowers researchers to deliver high-impact, evidence-based insights.

Justine Palacios, the Deputy Chief of Staff & Operations Counsel at Urban Institute, provides legal oversight and operational guidance to ensure compliance and efficiency across all research activities. Managing the intersection of policy research and institutional governance, the Deputy Chief of Staff & Operations Counsel mitigates risk while supporting the organization's mission. Justine Palacios advises on contractual obligations and regulatory frameworks that govern the institute's multidisciplinary projects. This role involves drafting and reviewing agreements that facilitate collaborative research with external partners and government entities. By maintaining rigorous standards for operational conduct, the Deputy Chief of Staff & Operations Counsel protects the integrity of the institute's findings. This position requires a deep understanding of the legal landscape surrounding social and economic policy research. Through proactive legal strategy and operational management, the Deputy Chief of Staff & Operations Counsel ensures that the organization remains focused on generating actionable insights for policymakers.

Yasmin Kazzaz, the Chief Operations Officer at Urban Institute, directs the internal business functions that sustain the organization's research mission. Overseeing the allocation of resources and the efficiency of administrative processes, the Chief Operations Officer ensures that research teams operate within a stable and productive environment. Yasmin Kazzaz manages the logistical aspects of large-scale studies, ensuring that economists and social scientists have the necessary support to conduct original data collection. This role involves optimizing organizational workflows to enhance the impact of policy analysis across diverse domains. By streamlining operations, the Chief Operations Officer enables the institute to respond rapidly to emerging policy questions. This position requires a focus on scalability and financial health to support long-term research goals. Through strategic operational management, the Chief Operations Officer drives the institute's ability to deliver comprehensive studies that inform public discourse and guide policymakers toward effective solutions for complex societal challenges.

Shrita Hernandez, the Chief Communications Officer & Vice President, Communications at Urban Institute, leads the dissemination of research findings to ensure maximum impact on public discourse and policy development. Managing the organization's brand and outreach strategy, the Chief Communications Officer & Vice President, Communications translates complex data into accessible insights for diverse audiences. Shrita Hernandez oversees media relations, digital content, and stakeholder engagement to amplify the reach of the institute's evidence-based work. This role involves crafting narratives that highlight the importance of research in areas such as economic opportunity and health care access. By coordinating with policy experts, the Chief Communications Officer & Vice President, Communications ensures that findings reach key decision-makers effectively. This position requires a strategic approach to public engagement, maintaining the institute's reputation as a trusted source of nonpartisan analysis. Through targeted communication efforts, the Chief Communications Officer & Vice President, Communications drives the adoption of research-backed solutions in the public sphere.

Yasmin Coronado, the Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Administrative Officer at Urban Institute, manages the talent acquisition and administrative infrastructure that supports the organization's multidisciplinary research teams. Overseeing recruitment, professional development, and organizational culture, the Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Administrative Officer ensures that the institute attracts and retains top-tier economists and social scientists. Yasmin Coronado directs administrative policies that foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment. This role involves managing the facilities and support services necessary for high-level policy analysis. By aligning human capital strategies with the institute's mission, the Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Administrative Officer enables researchers to focus on generating rigorous, evidence-based insights. This position requires a commitment to operational excellence and employee engagement. Through effective administrative leadership, the Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Administrative Officer supports the institute's capacity to address complex societal challenges through sustained, high-quality research efforts.

Ragan Tysvaer, the Director, Center Operations at Urban Institute, manages the day-to-day functioning of research centers to ensure the successful execution of policy studies. Overseeing the coordination of project timelines and resource distribution, the Director, Center Operations facilitates the work of multidisciplinary teams focused on issues like education systems and government effectiveness. Ragan Tysvaer monitors the operational health of individual research units, ensuring that data collection and statistical analysis proceed according to established standards. This role involves solving logistical challenges that arise during longitudinal studies. By providing consistent operational support, the Director, Center Operations enables researchers to maintain their focus on producing nuanced, data-driven findings. This position requires strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Through meticulous oversight of center-level activities, the Director, Center Operations contributes to the overall success of the institute in delivering actionable insights that guide policymakers toward effective solutions.