Stephanie J. Walsh

Stephanie Walsh (she/her) is a senior policy analyst at RAND with expertise in program review, stakeholder engagement, and cost-benefit analysis. Research experience includes identifying procedural and technical solutions to improve background check procedures for federal personnel vetting; estimating the cost of quality early childhood care and education in Oklahoma; developing and implementing the American School Districts Panel; and conducting local economic impact studies with regards to the STEM and film industries in the Pittsburgh region. Prior to joining RAND, Walsh was a budget analyst for the Colorado General Assembly, where she maintained oversight of the Judicial Branch (including state courts and specialty courts, probation, parole, and guardians ad litem), the environmental agencies within the Department of Public Health and Environment, the Department of Regulatory Affairs, and the State Office of Economic Development. She analyzed proposed legislation for fiscal and policy impacts, gained expertise in multiple program areas, and assessed budget proposals based on regulatory requirements, best practices, and benchmarking research. She regularly presented before the legislature, the press, and the public, and was ultimately responsible for making annual funding recommendations totaling over $400 million to state legislators. Later, as a public policy consultant, developed strategies to improve business and community outcomes for public sector clients by conducting situational assessments, extensive internal reviews, and best practices research.  She used her findings to create detailed, practical reports for non-technical audiences that included recommendations, implementation plans, tools, and data visualizations.