Tim Shaw

Director, Benefits Transformation Initiative and Senior Policy Advisor, Financial Security Program

As the Director of the Benefits Transformation Initiative and Senior Policy Advisor for the Financial Security Program, Tim works to advance promising policies that address the most pressing financial security challenges facing people in America. Working with leaders across levels of government, Tim and Aspen FSP’s Benefits team seek to provide policy, nonprofit, and market leaders with the innovative ideas, research, and networks of leaders they need to design and enact policies that help people weather financial shocks and comfortably afford everyday life.

Before joining the Aspen Institute, he was an Associate Director for Economic Policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center. While there, he was the policy lead for BPC’s Paid Family Leave Task Force and led projects on economic opportunity, retirement security, and fiscal policy. Prior to that work, he was a tax and budget staffer at the Government Accountability Office. His work has been featured in numerous publications, including the Washington Post, Politico, and the Wall Street Journal.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

Authored by Tim:

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Blog Posts

Modernizing EBT Security Is Long Overdue. Policymakers Can’t Just Mandate It; They Need to Pay for It.

USDA’s proposed rule is an important step toward protecting SNAP users and taxpayers from theft. But federal requirements alone won’t solve a problem that has long been constrained by funding.

North Stars in a Moment of Constraint
Blog Posts

North Stars in a Moment of Constraint

States working with the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program put forward a shared set of “North Stars” that define good public benefits delivery. Amid challenges to our benefits system, these North Stars are more important than ever.

Aspen Institute Financial Security Program Launches Pilot Program to Protect Families From EBT Theft

Aspen FSP, with support from JPMorganChase, will support several state agencies to modernize technical safeguards for EBT cards.

Video: We Don’t Have to Choose Between Financial Stability and Wealth
Blog Posts Videos

Video: We Don’t Have to Choose Between Financial Stability and Wealth

Households need tools that help them afford everyday life and build long-term security. Too often, policy systems fail to respond to both of these needs and instead prioritize one goal over the other.

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Blog Posts

Highlighting Innovative Actions to Improve Public Benefits Delivery

Examples of state agencies and partners enhancing and expanding public benefits delivery.