From Data to Decisions: Tackling Los Angeles’ Biggest Challenges
Leaders from the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and the LA County Chief Executive Office will join NORC researchers for a conversation on how data, evidence, and emerging tools—including artificial intelligence—are shaping decision‑making across a range of issues facing Los Angeles.
Drawing on their day‑to‑day experience, panelists will discuss how they navigate complex policy, funding, and operational constraints; what kinds of evidence are most useful in practice; and where better data and technology could meaningfully support action and collaboration across the region.
Interested in attending the panel and reception? Please RSVP no later than May 12, 2026.
Event Details
Date & Time
May 12, 2026 | 6:00-8:00 PM PT
Location
Delphi Hotel | Downtown Los Angeles
Our Work in California
NORC provides innovative research that helps California’s leaders make informed decisions to improve lives across the state.
Featured Experts
Our expert panelists bring together research, policy, and on-the-ground experience at the intersection of data, community need, and decision-making in Los Angeles.
Special Guests
Michael Flood
President & Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Michael Flood has served as the Chief Executive of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank since 2000. During his tenure, the Food Bank has started new programs to increase food distribution and launched new nutrition and public policy initiatives. Michael serves as Board Chair of Emergency Network Los Angeles and as a Board Treasurer of the California Association of Food Banks. Michael also serves on the Executive Committee of the LA Food Policy Council and the Advisory Board of the Los Angeles County Office of Food Systems. He is a member of the LA-5 Rotary Club and the World Affairs Council/LA Town Hall. Michael was born in Los Angeles after his parents immigrated from Ireland. He earned his MBA and BA degrees from the College of William and Mary in Virginia.
Matt Marlowe
Director, Office of Budget Policy and Revenue Alignment, Los Angeles County
Matt leads the Office of Budget Policy and Revenue Alignment (OBPRA) in Los Angeles County’s Chief Executive Office. OBPRA’s vision is a robust safety net that enables county residents to live more fulfilling lives. It aims to maximize revenues and optimize service delivery. OBPRA identifies areas where County priorities may align with trends in the broader political economic environment, examines potential opportunities from a legal, financial, operational, and political perspective, and collaborates with other offices, departments, and extra-county stakeholders to develop strategies and achieve its goals. Prior to serving in this role, Matt was a health care finance layer, intellectual property lawyer, entrepreneur, and biologist.
Matt holds a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, graduate degrees in biology and public health from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Arts in Paleobiology from the University of Pennsylvania.
NORC Experts
Jennifer Benz
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Media Research, NORC
Jennifer Benz is a political scientist and department head of Public Affairs & Media Research at NORC, and director of The Associated Press‑NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. She leads large‑scale survey research measuring public opinion and behavior on issues relevant to public decision‑making, including food security, health, media, and trust in institutions. With deep expertise in survey methodology, Jenny focuses on translating rigorous data into insights that policymakers, journalists, and the public can use to inform policy and practice.
Barbara Fernandez
Associate Director, Health Care Programs, NORC
Barbara Fernandez is an associate director in NORC’s Health Care Programs department with more than 25 years of experience leading complex public health and health policy research. A resident of San Diego, California, she leads and manages major health policy research studies, working closely with government, foundation, and academic partners to understand and evaluate programs affecting older adults, people with disabilities, and underserved communities. Her work emphasizes rigorous study design, mixed‑method data collection, and translating findings to inform policy and program decisions.
Krishna Kumar
Executive Vice President & Chief Research Officer, Socio-Economic & Global Research, NORC
Krishna Kumar is executive vice president and chief research officer at NORC, where he oversees research spanning economics, education, international development, public affairs, and academic research center. An internationally recognized economist and research leader with nearly three decades of experience, his work focuses on how data and evidence inform policy and decision‑making related to labor markets and human capital across complex systems. A long‑time resident of Los Angeles, Krishna brings both a global research perspective and a deep local connection to the challenges and opportunities facing the region today.
Matthew Stagner
Senior Fellow, Economic, Justice & Society, NORC
Matthew Stagner is a senior fellow in NORC’s Economic, Justice & Society department and a nationally recognized expert on child and family policy, program evaluation, and the use of evidence in policy settings. His work focuses on improving child and family well‑being and strengthening how data and research inform policymaking. Drawing on leadership roles across government, academia, and the social policy research field—including at Mathematica, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, the Urban Institute, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—Matthew brings deep experience bridging research and decision‑making. He will moderate the panel discussion.
