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Elisha Smith Arrillaga

Vice President, Research

Elisha Smith Arrillaga, Ph.D. manages CEP’s Research team, leading the creation, development, analysis, and release of various research projects and initiatives relevant to the philanthropic sector’s most pressing issues. Prior to CEP, Dr. Smith Arrillaga was a faculty fellow and professor of practice in philanthropy and education policy at the University of Texas, and she served as executive director of several national and state level nonprofits, including the Dana Center, a national center on math and science education equity and the Education Trust West. Dr. Smith Arrillaga has also served on a range of state and national advisory groups including Google’s Emerging Artificial Intelligence Research Roundtable and has spoken widely at conferences, published articles and op-eds and has been interviewed by various media outlets, including Forbes, Fortune, USA Today, the New York Times, and CNN.

Elisha Smith Arrillaga's Blog Posts

Getting Proximate: Effecting Change by Centering Community Voice

Earlier this year, the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions team held its annual retreat in Montgomery, Alabama, visiting the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Sites. As part of this transformative experience, the Forum’s team was honored to spend time with Bryan...

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Recent Blogs

Governing Through Uncertainty: In Conversation About Newly Released CEP ResearchKevin Bolduc Vice President, Assessment and Advisory Services, CEPSeara Grundhoefer Senior Analyst, Research
Governing Through Uncertainty: In Conversation About Newly Released CEP Research

In this conversation, CEP’s Vice President of Assessment and Advisory Services Kevin Bolduc talks with CEP Senior Research Analyst Seara Grundhoefer about data CEP just released that explores the role and responsibilities of foundation boards in helping their...

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Common Ground for Donors: Supporting Our Youngest Children and Their FamiliesKatherine (Kat) Kaufmann Partner, The Bridgespan GroupMaggie Davies Partner, The Bridgespan GroupRebecca Brondfield Principal, The Bridgespan Group
Common Ground for Donors: Supporting Our Youngest Children and Their Families

Today, while American families increasingly struggle to get by, the political divisions dominating public debate are impeding concerted policy progress to help them. But there is at least one approach that unites people across geographies, demographics, and the...

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