Executive Director, California Policy Lab
Evan White, JD, MPP, was born and bred in California, and believes it is the most beautiful place on Earth. He co-founded the California Policy Lab because he believes that government can and should be the strongest force for good in society. Evan’s ardent curiosity led him to train in the unwieldy trifecta of researcher, lawyer, and IT professional. He uses all three tools as Executive Director of CPL’s Berkeley site, where he enjoys analyzing and solving complex problems, in organizations, policy, and society. He has authored and co-authored CPL publications focused on migration patterns in California during the pandemic, the Earned Income Tax Credit, the social safety net, and guides for linking administrative data.
Prior to CPL, Evan advised Richard Cordray, the first Director of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, on a broad portfolio ranging from fintech to debt collection to financial empowerment. Before that, Evan fought against race and disability discrimination during the foreclosure crisis as Director of Fair Housing for Northern California’s largest fair-housing nonprofit.
Evan holds a joint degree in Law and Public Policy (JD/MPP) from UC Berkeley, during which he clerked for the California Supreme Court, the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, and the White House Office of Management and Budget. He holds a BA in Political Science and Africana Studies from Vassar College. He is happiest when buried in a novel or deep in the Sierra Nevada backcountry – ideally both.