Thoughtful, Objective Analysis to Inform the Florida Policy Debate.

Group photo of Florida Policy Institute staff

About FPI

Florida Policy Institute is an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit organization dedicated to advancing policies and budgets that improve the economic mobility and quality of life for all Floridians. We do this through research, strategic outreach, coalition building, and policy advocacy.

Mission

To advance state policies and budgets that improve the economic mobility and quality of life for all Floridians.

Vision

Florida Policy Institute’s vision is that of a state where every Floridian has an equal opportunity to thrive; a state where everyone has equitable access to health care, education, housing and jobs with no barriers based on race or ethnicity.

Values

At FPI, our values are our North Star. They guide our work and reflect who we seek to be.

  • Pursue Equity by advancing policies that dismantle the systemic barriers to opportunity historically upheld by public officials, laws, and practices.
  • Lead with Integrity by producing fact-based, independent policy analyses and driving bold solutions that promote shared prosperity for all Floridians.
  • Share Power and resources to foster collective leadership internally and externally, as we pursue solutions that are rooted in and informed by our communities and partners.
  • Be Kind to others and to ourselves as we work to build a brighter future for all Floridians.
FPI pyramid diagram

Staff

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Sadaf Knight
Sadaf Knight
Chief Executive Officer
Holly Bullard
Holly Bullard
Chief Strategy & Development Officer
Sonia Lindell
Sonia Lindell
Director of Communications & Marketing
Tachana Joseph-Marc
Tachana Joseph-Marc
Senior Policy Analyst
Cindy Huddleston
Cindy Huddleston
Senior Policy Analyst
Alexis Tsoukalas, PhD
Alexis Tsoukalas, PhD
Senior Policy Analyst
Esteban Leonardo Santis, PhD
Esteban Leonardo Santis, PhD
Policy Analyst
Amber Nixon
Amber Nixon
Manager of Strategic Initiatives
Norín Dollard, PhD
Norín Dollard, PhD
Senior Policy Analyst & Director of KIDS COUNT®
Anika Huda
Anika Huda
Communications Associate
Erica Monet Li, MPH, CHES®
Erica Monet Li, MPH, CHES®
Policy Analyst
Adriana Sela
Adriana Sela
Research Assistant
Cicely Hodges
Cicely Hodges
Policy Analyst
Ethan Frey
Ethan Frey
Visiting Fellow

Board of Directors

Brent Schillinger, MD
Chair
Howard Simon
Braulio Colón
Vice Chair
Naim Kapucu, PhD
Secretary
Cindy Arenberg Seltzer
Jasmine Gebon
Treasurer
Alison DeBelder
Graciela Noriega Jacoby
Dan DeLeo

Partners

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation

The Charles & Margery Barancik family has long believed in the power of philanthropy to shape our world and enrich the lives of all people. It was the expression of this belief that led them in 2014 to establish the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation—a private, family foundation located in Sarasota, Florida. The Barancik Foundation creates initiatives and awards grants in Sarasota and beyond in the areas of arts and humanities, education and science, humanitarian causes, medical research, and the environment.

Ford Foundation

The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For more than 80 years it has worked with courageous people on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation

FPI’s research was funded in part by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. We thank them for their support but acknowledge that the findings and conclusions presented in our reports are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Foundation. The Institute also seeks to build strong partnerships within the State of Florida, with Legislators, the media and grassroots groups throughout the state that work day in and day out advocating for the interests of low and moderate income Floridians on issues impacting their prosperity and financial security.

Funders

Florida Policy Institute is proud to be the recipient of donations from individuals and grants from the generous organizations below: 

Allegany Franciscan Ministries

Annie E. Casey Foundation

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Center for Law and Social Policy

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation

Community Catalyst

Ford Foundation

EARN in the South Partnership Fund

Economic Policy Institute/EARN

Economic Opportunity Funders

Heyday Fund at The Miami Foundation

MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger

The Rockefeller Foundation

Ventus Charitable Foundation