Sheida Isabel Elmi (she/her/ella) is an Associate Director at the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, where she helps lead research, drive strategy, and direct staffing for the Insights and Evidence team. Where possible, she advances a Person-Centered Insights methodology that elevates people’s lived experiences to inform solutions to improve family financial well-being. Her research illuminates the financial challenges and opportunities facing families today, on topics including climate stressors and disasters, public and workplace benefits design, and cash and savings. Previously, Sheida was an Associate Manager with The Pew Charitable Trusts. There, she led in-depth interviews and focus groups and conducted quantitative analyses related to income volatility, financial instability, and wages and benefits. Before that, she was a Research Analyst at MEF Associates, where she helped evaluate federal programs aimed at promoting economic security through higher education, matched-savings accounts, and employment and training programs.
Sheida holds a Master of Public Policy degree from UC Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies from Northwestern University. She is a member of the Guaranteed Income Community of Practice and previously served on the Board of Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB).