I chose Urban because I'm surrounded by people who believe equitable American systems are possible. We just have to be brave enough to try them, diligent in studying them, and humble enough to course correct when we learn something new.
Madeline Brown is a senior policy associate in the Research to Action Lab at the Urban Institute, where she promotes racial equity and inclusion in local, state, and federal policy. She currently focuses on financial security and the racial wealth gap, developing timely products, growing the evidence base, and leading technical assistance to inform policymakers and practitioners. Her work also includes the policy domains of housing, civic participation and representation, broadband access, and workforce development and examines the ways these systems were shaped by structural racism. Before joining Urban, she worked at FairVote, a nonprofit focused on US electoral reform, providing research and analytical support.
Brown graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish from Emory University and received a master’s degree in public administration and policy from the School of Public Affairs at American University.