OUR TEAM
Governance Leaders & Thinkers
We are a nimble team of policy experts and researchers directed by Michael Jacobson, whose career in public service includes senior positions in the NYC Office of Management and Budget, service as the NYC Commissioner of Probation and later Corrections Commissioner, and tenure leading the nonprofit Vera Institute of Justice. The ISLG Board is chaired by Marc Shaw who, through his extensive experience in senior government and private sector roles, understands the central role budgeting plays in the operations of any complex organization. Our staff and Advisory Board comprise renowned leaders with deep background in government, academia, and the private sector.
Jump to: executive Team | Policy | research | Operations | administration | Communications | Legal | Senior fellows
Executive Team
Our Executive Team guides the strategic vision and organizational direction of the Institute. Drawing on deep cross-sector experience, they work collaboratively to ensure that ISLG’s values are reflected throughout our work. Together, they shape priorities, strengthen internal systems, and steward relationships with partners across sectors.
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MICHAEL P. JACOBSON
Executive Director
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SIOBHÁN CARNEY
Policy Director
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REAGAN DALY
Research Director
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KAREN GOLDSTEIN
Executive Legal Counsel
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MONICA P. SAN JUAN
Chief Administrative Officer and Aide to the Executive Director
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MARC SHAW
Chair of the Advisory Board and Senior Advisor
Research
Our Research team helps government and community partners use data to advance innovative policy, practice, and programmatic strategies that meet the interests and needs of all communities. Working in close collaboration with these partners, we build data capacity, infrastructure, and transparency within public institutions; and carry out research and analysis to unpack local issues, inform the design, implementation, and evaluation of solutions, and improve decision-making among staff and leadership.
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JULIA BOWLING
Research Associate
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ANNIE CHEN
Senior Data Scientist
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REAGAN DALY
Research Director
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KATHLEEN DOHERTY
Research Project Director
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BEN ESTEP
Research Project Director
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DOUGLAS EVANS
Senior Research Associate
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JENNIFER FERONE
Deputy Research Director
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CHENGEN GU
Research Analyst
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BRYN HILL
Senior Research Associate
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BRIAN HOLLIDAY
Senior Data Scientist
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MARY HUYNH
Research Project Director
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KATE JASSIN
Research Associate
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MICHAEL KEITH
Lead Data Scientist
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SANA KHAN
Senior Research Associate
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VICTORIA LAWSON
Research Project Director
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CECILIA LOW-WEINER
Senior Research Associate
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BRANDON MARTINEZ
Research Associate
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AIMEE MCPHAIL
Research Associate
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DAPHNE MORAGA
Research Analyst
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OTGONJARGAL OKHIDOI (OTGO)
Research Associate
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NEAL PALMER
Research Project Director
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SAMANTHA PARKER
Research Associate
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ALEXIS PEACHEY
Research Associate
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OSAMA QURESHI
Senior Data Scientist
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STEPHANIE ROSOFF
Associate Research Director
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DIANA SPAHIA
Senior Research Associate
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KAILEY SPENCER
Senior Research Associate
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REBECCA TUBLITZ
Senior Research Associate
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EMILY WEST
Senior Research Associate
Policy
Our multidisciplinary Policy team addresses critical community issues by connecting community-based organizations, community members, government, and other partners with each other, thoughtful research, and expert knowledge. In doing so, the Policy team equips community leaders with the tools to increase the impact of their services, data, training, and programs in pursuit of a thriving society.
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SIOBHÁN CARNEY
Policy Director
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SARAH CASSEL
Senior Policy Associate
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ALISON DIEGUÉZ
Policy Program Director
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RHOKEISHA FORD
Policy Program Director and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
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EVAN GOLDSTEIN
Senior Policy Associate
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MIRIAM GOODMAN
Senior Policy Associate
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MIA GRECO
Policy Associate
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PATRICK HART
Policy Program Director
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FINDA KOFUMA
Senior Policy Associate
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NATHALIE LEBRÓN
Senior Policy Associate
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RUBY PHILLIPS
Policy Analyst
Operations
Our Operations team partners with governments, public institutions, and nonprofits to apply analytical analysis and strategic insights to financial and operational challenges affecting complex organizations and programs. Through financial planning, policy analysis, process redesign, and strategic implementation support, they help organizations operate more efficiently and equitably to advance impactful and long-term solutions.
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SARA CARRIÓN
Senior Policy Associate
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DEAN FULEIHAN
Senior Fellow
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JOSE GARCIA PORTILLO
Policy Associate
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SAFFI HADI
Policy Associate
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NICK KILBY
Senior Policy Associate
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LINDA KLEINBAUM
Senior Fellow
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LISA MCMONAGLE
Policy Associate
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JANET PENKSA
Senior Fellow
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TAYLOR SWABB
Operations Program Director
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ALICE WHEET
Senior Policy Associate
Administration
Our Administration team ensures the Institute runs efficiently and effectively by providing operational, financial, and executive support. This includes everything from managing daily logistics and staff resources to overseeing systems and budgets.
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DELIA GONZALEZ
Administrative Assistant
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IYAKA JACK-SAMPSON
Finance Associate
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VESTINA LOPICCOLO
Administrative Associate
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MONICA P. SAN JUAN
Chief Administrative Officer and Aide to the Executive Director
Communications
Our Communications team develops and amplifies public-facing work from across the Institute, with a focus on creating accessible, engaging, practical content. Through editorial strategy, design, digital outreach, and more, they support cross-team collaboration and ensure that our work is shared with the diverse audience of community leaders, researchers, state and local government leaders, and others who can use it to better serve their communities.
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ALISA ORLOWSKY
Communications Associate
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CARLA SINCLAIR
Senior Communications Associate
Legal
Our Legal team supports the Institute’s mission by providing legal support across all aspects of our work. They help structure and negotiate key partnerships with funders, government agencies, nonprofits, and community-based organizations, ensuring alignment with institutional and partner goals while managing risk. Internally, the team strengthens operational frameworks by advising on administrative, fiscal, and programmatic matters. Their expertise spans a range of substantive areas including contract negotiation and management, data privacy, and nonprofit law. By embedding legal insight into project planning and implementation, the team assists staff and partners in navigating complex legal landscapes with clarity, integrity, and confidence.
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ROOHI GUPTE
Deputy Legal Counsel
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KAREN GOLDSTEIN
Executive Legal Counsel
Senior Fellows
Our Senior Fellows are experts from across state and local government, research, law, administration, and more. They work within and across teams to further projects, chart strategies, and develop partnerships.
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DEAN FULEIHAN
Senior Fellow
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LINDA KLEINBAUM
Senior Fellow
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JANET PENKSA
Senior Fellow
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JEREMY TRAVIS
Senior Fellow
Advisory Board
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MARC V. SHAW
Chair
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JOHN H. BANKS III
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DAVID BIRDSELL
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ALLISON CANTON
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RICHARD G. DUDLEY, JR.
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DALL FORSYTHE
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KATHERINE N. LAPP
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DR. JOHN MOLLENKOPF
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JOSEPH P. VITERITTI
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CARL WEISBROD