Michael Cassidy is the President and CEO of The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, a nonprofit think tank focused on providing independent research, analysis and public education on budget and tax issues, with emphasis on the impact of fiscal decisions on low- and moderate-income Virginians. Before joining The Commonwealth Institute, Michael conducted program evaluations as an analyst at the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget. He also worked for several years as a budget analyst at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget where he handled policy development, regulatory and legislative review and budgetary process and execution for a wide variety of social policy programs. He began his career in tax policy for the federal government and also worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers in their government consulting practice. Michael graduated from Georgetown University, and has a master’s degree in public policy from the College of William and Mary, where he was a Thomas Jefferson Fellow.
Contact: michael@thecommonwealthinstitute.org, 804-396-2051 x101
Even Feinman is the Commonwealth Institute’s Campaign Coordinator. He oversees the Institute’s initiative efforts to improve Virginia’s fiscal stability by organizing a broad based campaign to bring a balanced approach to the state budget process. Prior to joining the Commonwealth Institute, Evan worked on a variety of electoral campaigns at the state and federal levels, and served as a fellow with the Public Interest Research Groups focusing on energy policy. He holds a B.A. in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia, and a J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law.
Contact: evan@thecommonwealthinstitute.org, 804-396-2051 x104
Patrick Getlein is the Director of Communications for the Institute. He works with the Institute’s staff to communicate the Institute’s work to the media and the public. Prior to his work with The Commonwealth Institute, Patrick worked in a variety of positions in strategic communications. From 1989-1993 he served at Christchurch School where he was an admissions officer and then director of publications and media relations with the alumni and development office. From 1993-2000 he served in a variety of roles with the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia: managing editor of the diocese’s monthly newspaper , the Virginia Episcopalian (1993-1996); assistant secretary of the diocese (1996-1998); director of communications and editor of the paper (1998-2000). From 2000-2002 he was a freelance writer, publishing articles on food, wine and restaurant criticism in a variety of publications including Style Weekly, The Washington Golf Monthly, The Washington Post, and the Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star. In 2001 he joined the creative team at Bergman Group ad agency where he was a copywriter. In 2002 he returned to the staff of the Diocese of Virginia as Secretary and Registrar and coordinator of diocesan staff serving also as director of communications and spokesperson. Patrick has a Bachelor’s degree in English from Hampden-Sydney College.
Contact: patrick@thecommonwealthinstitute.org, 804-396-2051 x103
Laura Goren is a policy analyst with the Institute. Laura conducts research and analysis on the state budget, tax policies and macroeconomic conditions in Virginia. Laura’s prior experience includes working as a research assistant at the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, where she conducted research on housing finance issues. Laura has a B.A. in Sociology from Towson University and prior to joining the Institute was a PhD student in the Sociology program at the City University of New York.
Contact: laura@thecommonwealthinstitute.org, 804-396-2051 x107
Dolloress Holmes is a policy analyst with the Institute. She is part of the inaugural class of the State Policy Fellowship Program, a new initiative that supports an emerging generation of leaders in shaping state policies and fiscal choices that affect disadvantaged families and communities. Prior to joining The Commonwealth Institute, Dolloress worked as a management consultant conducting program evaluations and budget analysis for local community organizations. She has also worked at the North Carolina General Assembly and served on the editorial board for the Scholarly Online Administrative Review, an online journal on poverty and inequality. Dolloress has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration from North Carolina Central University.
Contact: dolloress@thecommonwealthinstitute.org, 804-396-2051 x106
John McInerney serves as the Institute’s health policy director. John produces analysis and research on state and federal healthcare topics, including issues of access, financing, and quality important to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Prior to joining The Commonwealth Institute, John worked as a Program Manager at the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP), where he conducted research and worked closely with State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) directors from across the country. He served as a resource and provided technical assistance and support to state directors on SCHIP reauthorization and other key programmatic issues. Previously, John analyzed health financing issues at the U.S. Congressional Joint Economic Committee and served as Director of Communications and Research for a state senator. He has a B.A. in Political Science from Boston College and a Master’s of Public Policy from Georgetown University.
Contact: john@thecommonwealthinstitute.org, 804-396-2051 x105
L. Sookyung Oh is a policy analyst with the Institute and a State Policy Fellow, a new initiative that supports an emerging generation of leaders in shaping state policies and fiscal choices that affect disadvantaged families and communities. Prior to joining the Institute, Sookyung managed organizing and advocacy campaigns on national immigration reform at The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), served as a research assistant at the Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism, and worked in a various community-based organizations in Philadelphia to improve access to health care, social programs, and HIV/AIDS services. She has served on the board of the Pennsylvania Immigration & Citizenship Coalition and as a grant reviewer for the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. Sookyung graduated with honors with a BA in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania where she was a Gates Millennium Scholar and an University Scholar, and holds a Master’s in Public Administration from The Maxwell School, Syracuse University.
Contact: sookyung@thecommonwealthinstitute.org, 804-396-2051 x109
Sara Okos is the Policy Director at the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, where she analyzes and conducts research on a wide array of tax policies, the overall budget process, labor and wage issues, and education. Prior to joining The Commonwealth Institute in 2007, Sara worked in the Executive Office of Governor Jennifer Granholm in Lansing, Michigan. Sara has a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Economics from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master’s of Public Policy from the College of William and Mary’s Thomas Jefferson Program in Public Policy, where she was a Schroeder Fellow in Health Policy.
Contact: sara@thecommonwealthinstitute.org, 804-396-2051 x102