Yasmin Kazzaz is chief operations officer at the Urban Institute, where she oversees several departments and offices enhancing Urban’s systems through the implementation of a new strategic framework. Her leadership drives operational excellence and impact by harmonizing and streamlining Urban’s operational practices. She is also head of human resources, where she is a chief strategist for activities strengthening overall human capital management. Throughout her Urban tenure, Kazzaz has collaborated with leaders across the organization to lead major initiatives and ensure Urban’s work is centered around principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Kazzaz has more than 20 years of experience with optimizing business processes, enhancing efficiency, and fostering a culture of employee belonging. Before joining Urban, she was the chief administrative officer at Arnold Ventures, where she provided strategic leadership and operational oversight of the organization’s administration and human resources functions.

Throughout her career, Kazzaz held operational and human resources leadership positions at academic health centers, including the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Houston Methodist. She served in the health care industry as a commissioner for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program, representing the public.

Kazzaz earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Houston and her master’s degree in health care administration from Washington University.