Urban Institute Executive and Leadership Team

Sarah Rosen, the President and Trustee at Urban Institute, architects the overarching strategic direction for the organization's research and policy engagement. Rosen manages the alignment of the institute's multidisciplinary approach with the evolving needs of policymakers and the public. The President and Trustee oversees the collaborative model that brings together economists and social scientists to address complex societal challenges such as education systems and economic opportunity. By fostering a culture of rigorous, nonpartisan inquiry, Sarah Rosen ensures that all empirical research maintains the highest standards of integrity and relevance. This leadership role involves representing the organization in high-level policy discussions and securing the resources necessary for long-term research initiatives. Through the guidance of the Board and executive team, Rosen drives the institute's commitment to generating evidence-based insights that guide effective policy interventions and improve outcomes for communities across diverse socioeconomic circumstances.

Helen Behnke-Hanson, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research & Programs at Urban Institute, coordinates the integration of empirical research across diverse policy domains. Behnke-Hanson manages the alignment of research agendas with the broader organizational mission to provide evidence-based insights on economic opportunity and health care access. By facilitating collaboration between economists and social scientists, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research & Programs ensures that longitudinal studies maintain high standards of statistical rigor. This leadership role involves overseeing the operational flow of complex policy evaluations to maximize impact on government effectiveness. Helen Behnke-Hanson drives the internal processes that allow research teams to translate data into actionable policy recommendations. Through constant engagement with senior leadership, Behnke-Hanson maintains the structural integrity of the research portfolio, ultimately supporting the organization's goal of addressing multifaceted societal challenges through objective, data-driven investigation.

Kara Davis, the Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer at Urban Institute, architects the digital infrastructure necessary for large-scale data collection and analysis. Davis manages the technological frameworks that support the organization's multidisciplinary research teams in processing complex datasets related to housing markets and education systems. The Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer oversees the security and accessibility of proprietary research tools, ensuring that empirical findings remain protected yet available for public discourse. By optimizing information systems, Kara Davis enables researchers to conduct efficient longitudinal studies across North American and global policy landscapes. This role requires constant coordination with the Chief Information Officer to align technical capabilities with the evolving needs of policy experts. Through the implementation of scalable data solutions, Davis directly supports the institute's capacity to generate nuanced, evidence-based insights that inform critical social and economic policy decisions.

Justine Palacios, the Deputy Chief of Staff & Operations Counsel at Urban Institute, directs the legal and operational frameworks governing the organization's research activities. Palacios manages compliance protocols and risk mitigation strategies that protect the integrity of empirical studies and data-driven investigations. The Deputy Chief of Staff & Operations Counsel oversees the intersection of administrative policy and research execution, ensuring that all collaborative projects adhere to institutional standards. By providing legal guidance on complex policy domains, Justine Palacios enables the institute to navigate regulatory environments while maintaining a focus on objective, nonpartisan analysis. This leadership role involves close cooperation with the executive team to streamline internal operations and support the long-term sustainability of the research mission. Through the application of strategic legal oversight, Palacios secures the operational foundation required for the organization to produce comprehensive evaluations that influence public policy and address systemic societal challenges.

Yasmin Kazzaz, the Chief Operations Officer at Urban Institute, executes the strategic vision for the organization's internal infrastructure and resource allocation. Kazzaz manages the operational efficiency of research departments, ensuring that economists and social scientists possess the necessary support to conduct high-impact studies. The Chief Operations Officer oversees the scaling of administrative processes to accommodate the institute's broad spectrum of policy domains, including economic opportunity and government effectiveness. By optimizing workflows, Yasmin Kazzaz facilitates the seamless collaboration required for multidisciplinary research teams to produce nuanced findings. This role involves constant interaction with the Board and executive leadership to align operational capacity with the organization's long-term research goals. Through the implementation of robust management systems, Kazzaz drives the organizational performance needed to maintain the institute's position as a leader in evidence-based policy analysis, ultimately ensuring that research outcomes reach policymakers effectively.

Shrita Hernandez, the Chief Communications Officer & Vice President, Communications at Urban Institute, directs the dissemination of research findings to policymakers, media, and the public. Hernandez manages the strategic messaging that translates complex empirical data into accessible insights regarding health care access, housing, and economic opportunity. The Chief Communications Officer & Vice President, Communications oversees the development of digital and print platforms that amplify the organization's evidence-based recommendations. By crafting narratives that highlight the impact of longitudinal studies, Shrita Hernandez ensures that the institute's work informs public discourse and guides legislative solutions. This leadership role involves coordinating with research teams to ensure accuracy and clarity in all external communications. Through the execution of comprehensive outreach strategies, Hernandez expands the reach of the institute's findings, directly supporting the mission to influence social and economic policy through rigorous, nonpartisan investigation and data-driven analysis.

Yasmin Coronado, the Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Administrative Officer at Urban Institute, directs the talent acquisition and administrative functions that sustain the organization's research workforce. Coronado manages the recruitment of top-tier economists, social scientists, and policy experts who contribute to the institute's multidisciplinary research model. The Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Administrative Officer oversees the internal culture and professional development programs that enable researchers to conduct high-quality, longitudinal studies. By optimizing administrative support services, Yasmin Coronado ensures that the organization remains agile in addressing complex policy questions related to government effectiveness and social equity. This leadership role involves close collaboration with the executive team to align human capital strategies with the institute's broader mission. Through the implementation of effective personnel policies, Coronado supports the operational stability required for the organization to continue producing rigorous, data-driven insights that inform public policy.