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.

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. 

  • MICHAEL P. JACOBSON

    Executive Director

  • SIOBHÁN CARNEY

    Policy Director

  • REAGAN DALY

    Research Director

  • KAREN GOLDSTEIN

    Executive Legal Counsel

  • MONICA P. SAN JUAN

    Chief Administrative Officer and Aide to the Executive Director

  • 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.

  • JULIA BOWLING

    Research Associate

  • ANNIE CHEN

    Senior Data Scientist

  • REAGAN DALY

    Research Director

  • KATHLEEN DOHERTY

    Research Project Director

  • BEN ESTEP

    Research Project Director

  • DOUGLAS EVANS

    Senior Research Associate

  • JENNIFER FERONE

    Deputy Research Director

  • CHENGEN GU

    Research Analyst

  • BRYN HILL

    Senior Research Associate

  • BRIAN HOLLIDAY

    Senior Data Scientist

  • MARY HUYNH

    Research Project Director

  • KATE JASSIN

    Research Associate

  • MICHAEL KEITH

    Lead Data Scientist

  • SANA KHAN

    Senior Research Associate

  • VICTORIA LAWSON

    Research Project Director

  • CECILIA LOW-WEINER

    Senior Research Associate

  • BRANDON MARTINEZ

    Research Associate

  • AIMEE MCPHAIL

    Research Associate

  • DAPHNE MORAGA

    Research Analyst

  • OTGONJARGAL OKHIDOI (OTGO)

    Research Associate

  • NEAL PALMER

    Research Project Director

  • SAMANTHA PARKER

    Research Associate

  • ALEXIS PEACHEY

    Research Associate

  • OSAMA QURESHI

    Senior Data Scientist

  • STEPHANIE ROSOFF

    Associate Research Director

  • DIANA SPAHIA

    Senior Research Associate

  • KAILEY SPENCER

    Senior Research Associate

  • REBECCA TUBLITZ

    Senior Research Associate

  • 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. 

  • SIOBHÁN CARNEY

    Policy Director

  • SARAH CASSEL

    Senior Policy Associate

  • ALISON DIEGUÉZ

    Policy Program Director

  • RHOKEISHA FORD

    Policy Program Director and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer

  • EVAN GOLDSTEIN

    Senior Policy Associate

  • MIRIAM GOODMAN

    Senior Policy Associate

  • MIA GRECO

    Policy Associate

  • PATRICK HART

    Policy Program Director

  • FINDA KOFUMA

    Senior Policy Associate

  • NATHALIE LEBRÓN

    Senior Policy Associate

  • 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. 

  • SARA CARRIÓN

    Senior Policy Associate

  • DEAN FULEIHAN

    Senior Fellow

  • JOSE GARCIA PORTILLO

    Policy Associate

  • SAFFI HADI

    Policy Associate

  • NICK KILBY

    Senior Policy Associate

  • LINDA KLEINBAUM

    Senior Fellow

  • LISA MCMONAGLE

    Policy Associate

  • JANET PENKSA

    Senior Fellow

  • TAYLOR SWABB

    Operations Program Director

  • 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. 

  • DELIA GONZALEZ

    Administrative Assistant

  • IYAKA JACK-SAMPSON

    Finance Associate

  • VESTINA LOPICCOLO

    Administrative Associate

  • 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. 

  • ALISA ORLOWSKY

    Communications Associate

  • 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. 

  • ROOHI GUPTE

    Deputy Legal Counsel

  • 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.

Advisory Board