PPIC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Judge
- Judge, Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco
Judge A. Marisa Chun has served on the Superior Court of California, San Francisco County, since 2021. She has presided over civil and criminal matters, including juvenile dependency cases and felony arraignments, preliminary hearings, and motions. Previously, she was a partner at Crowell & Moring LLP, where she practiced high-stakes trial and appellate litigation and white-collar defense and served as co- lead of the firm's appellate practice. She represented companies, public universities, nonprofit associations, and individuals in the federal and state courts and vis-à-vis government agencies. She began her public service career at the US Department of Justice through the Attorney General's Honors Program as a civil rights lawyer. She also served as a prosecutor at the US Attorney's Offices for the Eastern District of Virginia and the District of Maryland and, from 2009 to 2013, as deputy associate attorney general, where she advised the Department's leadership on antitrust, intellectual property, health care fraud, telecommunications, and environmental matters. She serves on the executive committee of the Edward J. McFetridge American Inn of Court and has taught trial advocacy at Stanford and University of San Francisco Law Schools. She previously served as a board member of the Bar Association of San Francisco, president of the Korean American Bar Association of Northern California, a Lawyer Representative for the Northern District of California to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, a member of the Judicial Council of California's Advisory Committee on Civil Jury Instructions, and a Coro Foundation Public Affairs fellow. She joined PPIC's board of directors in 2015, having previously served as PPIC's outside counsel. She graduated from Yale University and Harvard Law School, where she served as developments editor of the Harvard Law Review. She served as a law clerk for the Honorable Robert Boochever of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Abby Cook - Chief Strategy Officer
Job Titles:
- Chief Strategy Officer
- Vice President of Communications
- Vice President of Communications and Chief Strategy Officer at the Public Policy Institute of California
Abby Cook is vice president of communications and chief strategy officer at the Public Policy Institute of California. Drawing on years of experience in public affairs, politics, and media relations, she directs all aspects of communications at the institute, ensuring that PPIC's mission, vision, and values are advanced through its publications, digital presence, and outreach activities. In addition, she oversees the institute's development function, with a focus on raising essential support through project grants, individual and corporate giving, and sponsorships. Previously, she served as the institute's public affairs manager and director of communications. Prior to joining PPIC, she was a spokesperson for elected officials and campaigns at the state and national levels.
Job Titles:
- Associate at the PPIC Sacramento Center
- Government Affairs Associate
Alexia Cortez is the government affairs associate at the PPIC Sacramento Center. She collaborates with PPIC research staff in the areas of criminal justice, water and environmental policy, and the 2020 Census to connect PPIC's work with policymakers and community leaders. Before joining PPIC, she served as a campaign fundraiser and was an executive assistant in the Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. She holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley, where she majored in political science.
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Fellow, Public Policy Institute of California
- Assistant Professor With the Civil and Environmental
Alvar Escriva-Bou is an assistant professor with the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at the University of California, Los Angeles. He's also an adjunct fellow with the PPIC Water Policy Center. Before that, he was a senior fellow at the PPIC Water Policy Center, where his research explored integrated water, energy, and environmental resources management. While at PPIC, he examined the options and consequences of transitioning to groundwater sustainability in the San Joaquin Valley, analyzed California's water accounting system, studied urban drought resilience, and investigated energy and climate policies related to water use, among other things. Previously, he worked as a civil engineer, managing and developing large infrastructure projects for local and regional governments and consulting firms in Spain. He holds a PhD and MS in water and environmental engineering and a BS in civil engineering from the Polytechnic University of Valencia in Spain, as well as an MS in agricultural and resource economics from the University of California, Davis.
Job Titles:
- Research Fellow
- Research Fellow at the PPIC Water Policy Center
Expertise: Environmental and resource economics
Andrew Ayres is a research fellow at the PPIC Water Policy Center. He is an environmental and natural resource economist focused on questions related to the design, development, and effectiveness of legal and economic institutions for managing the environment. His work often involves applied economic modeling and econometric analysis. Previously, he worked in Germany and the United States on projects to inform policy-making related to topics such as climate change, energy, river restoration, and water pricing. He holds a PhD in economics and environmental science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a BA in economics from Pomona College.
Job Titles:
- Research Associate
- Research Associate at the Public Policy Institute of California
Andrew Skelton is a research associate at the Public Policy Institute of California, where he studies criminal justice issues. His previous research has focused on gentrification and displacement, urban sustainability, and racial disparities in policing. He holds a BA in urban studies and an MA in sociology from Stanford University.
Job Titles:
- Research Operations Manager at the Public Policy Institute of California
Anne Yamamoto serves as Research Operations Manager at the Public Policy Institute of California. She provides administrative support to the vice presidents in research for internal and external meetings, high profile events, and other external engagements. Before joining PPIC, she worked in community engagement and fundraising, providing support to nonprofit executives, policymakers, and donors. She holds a MA in international studies and a BA in sociology, both from University of San Francisco.
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Manager
- Human Resource Manager at the Public Policy Institute of California
Anneke Gaul is human resource manager at the Public Policy Institute of California. At PPIC, she handles recruitment and HR operations, including legal compliance, employee relations, and staff development. Previously, she held several human resource roles at GATX Capital in San Francisco, in addition to positions in Amsterdam and Tokyo. She holds a master's degree in human resources and organizational development from the University of San Francisco and a BA in journalism from San Diego State University.
Job Titles:
- Web Manager
- Web Manager at the Public Policy Institute of California
Arabella Cureton is web manager at the Public Policy Institute of California. She oversees the development of website projects, updates content, and coordinates postings and live webcasts. She is also responsible for website analytics. Previously, she worked as the institute's publications production coordinator and web associate. Before joining PPIC, she served in the Peace Corps in West Africa. She holds a BA in physiology from the University of California, Berkeley.
Job Titles:
- Digital Content Manager
- Manager at the Public Policy Institute of California
Ashlyn Perri is the digital content manager at the Public Policy Institute of California. Working with staff across the institute, she uses social media, video, and other digital tools to expand PPIC's reach and engagement with key audiences. Prior to joining PPIC, she served as social media producer at the Bay Area Discovery Museum and as the digital and interactive media manager at the Center for Asian American Media. She holds a BA in liberal arts from Sarah Lawrence College.
Job Titles:
- Director of Information Technology
- Director of Information Technology for the Public Policy Institute of California
Athena Brekke is director of information technology for the Public Policy Institute of California. With 20 years of experience in the analysis and design of hardware, software, and security, she has managed a broad range of projects and strategic IT transformations, coordinating their implementation and ensuring that they allow for continuous productivity. She oversees the IT network infrastructure, making sure it provides the most current technological tools and services, supports the ever-changing technology operations of the institute, and maintains continuity across PPIC's multiple offices and meeting sites. She is responsible for compliance with industry and security standards and best practices, and she provides leadership in the development of essential IT policies and procedures. Prior to joining PPIC, she was the corporate finance production manager with SG Cowen.
Job Titles:
- Manager at the Public Policy Institute of California
- Publications Manager
Becky Morgan is the publications manager at the Public Policy Institute of California, where she oversees the production of PPIC's print and digital products. Before joining PPIC, she was editorial project manager at Professional Publications, Inc, where she managed the creation of educational content for engineers. She has also been an editorial manager in both trade and higher education divisions at Pearson Education. Becky holds a BA in liberal arts from St. John's College, with an emphasis in philosophy and mathematics.
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Fellow
- Adjunct Fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California
Belinda Reyes is an adjunct fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California and director of the César E. Chávez Institute at San Francisco State University, where she is also an associate professor in the College of Ethnic Studies. She is an expert in demographics, education, immigration, urban economics, and the social and economic progress of race/ethnic minorities. She has experience in many statistical and data management methods, and she has authored and coauthored many reports, including Building Credit for the Underbanked and Latina/o Students in Higher Education: Identifying Critical Issues and New Possibilities at Bay Area Universities. Previously, she was a founding faculty member at the University of California, Merced, and a research fellow at PPIC. She holds a PhD in economics from the University of California, Berkeley.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Senior Executive
Beth Elder is the senior executive assistant in the president's office at the Public Policy Institute of California. Along with providing administrative and project support to the president's office team, she works with facilities staff to manage meetings-including PPIC Board of Directors meetings and Statewide Leadership Council meetings-as well as fundraising and outreach activities. Before moving to the president's office, she worked with communications colleagues to coordinate PPIC events and supported the development team. Previously, she worked for the state of Washington, managing projects focused on continuous improvement, standardization of work, and statewide systems implementation. She has a BA in anthropology from Western Washington University and an MBA with a focus on project management from Walden University.
Job Titles:
- Research Associate
- Research Associate at the Public Policy Institute of California
Expertise: Criminal justice
Brandon Martin is a research associate at the Public Policy Institute of California. He studies criminal justice and public safety, with recent work examining the need for jail construction in California and the changes in state and local correctional populations. He has previous research experience in the area of legislative committees, including legislative and oversight responsibilities and the electoral considerations of committee assignments. He holds an MA in political science from the University of California, Davis and a BA in political science from Michigan State University.
Job Titles:
- Senior Fellow
- Senior Fellow at the PPIC Water Policy Center
Expertise: Water policy
Brian Gray is a senior fellow at the PPIC Water Policy Center and professor of law emeritus at the University of California in San Francisco. He has published numerous articles on environmental and water resources law and coauthored a variety of PPIC reports, including the 2011 interdisciplinary book on California water policy, Managing California's Water: From Conflict to Reconciliation. He has argued before the California Supreme Court and the US Court of Appeals in cases involving wild and scenic rivers, water pricing reform, takings, and water rights and environmental quality. He is a recipient of the William Rutter Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Outstanding Professor Award. He holds a JD from the University of California, Berkeley, and a BA in economics from Pomona College.
Job Titles:
- Associate Center Director and Research Fellow
Job Titles:
- Member of the Directors Emeriti & Corporate Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Policy Director
- Senior Fellow
Job Titles:
- President, Lucas Public Affairs
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Officers Team
- Vice President of Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer
Job Titles:
- Member of the Directors Emeriti & Corporate Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Directors Emeriti & Corporate Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Associate Survey Director and Research Fellow
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Officers Team
- Vice President of Government Affairs and Chief Data Officer and Corporate Secretary
Job Titles:
- Member of the Directors Emeriti & Corporate Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Directors Emeriti & Corporate Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Vice President and Director of the Water Policy Center and Senior Fellow
Job Titles:
- Government Affairs Associate
Job Titles:
- Retired Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, Edison International, Southern California Edison
Job Titles:
- Member of the Directors Emeriti & Corporate Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Government Affairs Administrator
Job Titles:
- Senior Communications Operations Manager
Job Titles:
- CEO, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality ( HOPE )
Job Titles:
- Member of the Directors Emeriti & Corporate Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Chairman and Co - Founder, CrowdSmart
Job Titles:
- Policy Director
- Senior Fellow
Job Titles:
- Chairman, the Panetta Institute for Public Policy
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing Manager
Job Titles:
- Chairman Emerita, Board of Trustees, J. Paul Getty Trust
Job Titles:
- Director of Content Strategy
Job Titles:
- Policy Director
- Senior Fellow
Job Titles:
- Member of the Directors Emeriti & Corporate Officers Team
- Statewide Survey Director and Miller Chair in Public Policy
June 2016 Managing Water for the Environment During Drought: Lessons from Victoria, Australia February 2016 Improving the Federal Response to Western Drought: Five Areas for Reform November 2015 Allocating California's Water: Directions for Reform March 2015 Policy Priorities for Managing Drought March 2014 Paying for Water in California April 2013 Stress Relief: Prescriptions for a Healthier Delta Ecosystem April 2013 Integrated Management of Delta Stressors: Institutional and Legal Options June 2012 Where the Wild Things Aren't: Making the Delta a Better Place for Native Species May 2012 Water and the California Economy February 2011 Managing California's Water: From Conflict to Reconciliation December 2009 California Water Myths
Job Titles:
- Member of the Directors Emeriti & Corporate Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Director of the PPIC Higher Education Center and Senior Fellow
Job Titles:
- Manager of People and Culture
Job Titles:
- Member of the Directors Emeriti & Corporate Officers Team
Job Titles:
- President and CEO, Fresno Building Healthy Communities
Job Titles:
- Vice President of People and Culture
Job Titles:
- Center Communications Manager
Job Titles:
- Senior Fellow
- Vice President of Research
Job Titles:
- Systems Administrator and Audio Visual Technician
Job Titles:
- of Counsel, Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni LLP
Job Titles:
- Director of Digital Strategy
Job Titles:
- Partner, O'Melveny & Myers LLP
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Officers Team
- President and CEO ( Chief Justice of CA, Retired )
- President and CEO ( Chief Justice of CA, Retired ), Public Policy Institute of California
Job Titles:
- Member of the Directors Emeriti & Corporate Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Directors Emeriti & Corporate Officers Team