Founding Principal

Joshua Baum is the Founding Principal of Hilgard Analytics, a mission-driven real estate and economic development research firm founded in 2020. An urban economist by training, they lead a practice rooted in data, equity, and impact — helping public agencies, private organizations, and nonprofits make informed decisions and design long-term strategies that are both analytically sound and socially responsive.

At Hilgard Analytics, Baum oversees firm-wide operations — from project delivery and strategic planning to business development and team leadership. Their portfolio spans real estate market studies, workforce development strategies, and economic impact assessments that support inclusive economic growth and community resilience. Across all engagements, they prioritize equity-driven analysis that reflects the lived experiences of diverse communities and helps clients address systemic disparities through research-based solutions.

Under Baum’s leadership, Hilgard Analytics has partnered with clients such as the Hollywood Partnership, the Urban Land Institute, and the City of Los Angeles. The firm’s work has informed decisions at the California State Legislature, Los Angeles City Council, and LA County Board of Supervisors, and has been featured in outlets including Urbanize LA, The Real Deal, and Westside Current.

Before focusing full-time on Hilgard in 2025, Baum held leadership roles at the City of Fort Worth’s Economic Development Department, the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, and Beacon Economics. These roles deepened their expertise in labor markets, workforce policy, and urban development — equipping them to deliver research that is not only rigorous but grounded in the real-world challenges facing workers, communities, and local economies.

A proud Double Bruin, Baum earned both a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) from UCLA. Their work sits at the intersection of economics, planning, and social equity — connecting data with community priorities to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Joshua can be reached directly at jbaum@hilgard-analytics.com or (949) 683-6201.

Programs & Community Strategy Advisor

Mallery Jenna Robinson serves as the Programs & Community Strategy Advisor at Hilgard Analytics, bringing more than 13 years of experience across leadership, project management, customer service, and case management. An Afra-Caribbean transgender Black woman with ancestral ties to Haiti, Mallery brings an intersectional, equity-driven lens to her work, informed by a deep commitment to social justice and community empowerment.

With seven years in project management roles at organizations such as The Center Long Beach, Mallery has led impactful initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness and advance community-centered goals. Her tenure as Community Outreach Director at Savant of Santa Monica further showcased her strength in building inclusive networks and fostering meaningful partnerships.

Mallery also brings a decade of teaching experience, where she developed exceptional communication and mentorship skills—supporting individuals in realizing their full potential and driving collective success. Her background in caregiving reflects her compassionate approach to leadership and people-centered work.

In addition to her operational expertise, Mallery is a passionate advocate and creative storyteller with interests in journalism, communications, singing, dancing, and modeling. Her multifaceted skill set enhances her ability to advise on program strategy, amplify community voices, and contribute meaningfully to initiatives at the intersection of data, equity, and impact.

At Hilgard Analytics, Mallery plays a key role in aligning programs and community strategies with the organization’s mission—ensuring that equity, inclusion, and lived experience remain central to the work.

Senior Economic Advisor

Dr. Anthony W. Orlando is a Senior Economic Advisor at Hilgard Analytics, where he provides strategic guidance on real estate, finance, and public policy. A respected scholar and practitioner, Dr. Orlando brings over a decade of experience analyzing macroeconomic trends, housing markets, and infrastructure finance to help public, private, and nonprofit clients navigate complex challenges.

He is currently Associate Professor of Finance, Real Estate, and Law at Cal Poly Pomona, where he holds the Singelyn Fellowship of Analytics. He previously served as a Visiting Scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (2018–2024) and sits on the Public Finance Authority Board for the La Verne Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District.

Dr. Orlando’s research has been published widely in academic journals and covered in leading media outlets including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Bloomberg. He is the author of Keeping Races in Their Places: The Dividing Lines That Shaped the American City and serves on the Board of Editors for the Journal of Law, Medicine, & Ethics.

He holds a PhD in Public Policy and Management from USC, a Master’s in Economic History from the London School of Economics, and a BA in Economics from the Wharton School. He is a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of Los Angeles.

Public & Nonprofit Strategy Advisor

Ashley Powell serves as the Public & Nonprofit Strategy Advisor at Hilgard Analytics, bringing over a decade of experience at the intersection of nonprofit leadership, social policy, and community-based program development. With a strong foundation in both direct service and systems-level strategy, Ashley provides insight into how public and nonprofit sectors can collaborate more effectively to drive equitable and sustainable outcomes.

Born in Santa Monica and a proud fourth-generation Angeleno, Ashley has dedicated her career to serving vulnerable and historically marginalized communities across Los Angeles. She has worked as a Case Manager for transition-age youth, including LGBTQIA+ populations, as well as adults in the GAIN program, supporting employment and self-sufficiency efforts through strengths-based, trauma-informed approaches.

Her professional background includes extensive experience in nonprofit programming, fundraising, and event planning, where she has led initiatives that elevate community voices and improve access to essential services. Ashley has also held leadership roles with youth-focused organizations, including serving as the youngest board member of United in Harmony, and as a longtime volunteer with Camp Harmony, where she helped develop a leadership program serving hundreds of children and teens across Los Angeles.

Ashley’s academic credentials reflect her deep commitment to systems change. She earned a B.A. in Sociology from Occidental College (with a minor in Art History and the Visual Arts/Film), followed by dual graduate degrees from the University of Southern California: a Master of Social Work from the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, with a concentration in Community Organizing, Planning, and Administration, and a Master of Public Administration from the Sol Price School of Public Policy, with a focus on Nonprofit Management.

At Hilgard Analytics, Ashley advises on public sector and nonprofit strategy, helping to ensure that data-informed work is aligned with equity goals, responsive to real-world needs, and grounded in deep understanding of community systems. Her insight strengthens the firm’s ability to bridge policy, practice, and impact across sectors.

Economic Development Strategy Advisor

Larry Holt serves as Economic Development Strategy Advisor at Hilgard Analytics, bringing over 15 years of executive leadership in multisector economic development, investment strategy, and workforce advancement. Nationally recognized by Consultant Connect as one of the Top 50 Economic Development Executives in the U.S., Larry is known for his ability to translate the needs of governments, businesses, and communities into high-impact strategies that drive inclusive growth and sustainable investment.

Over the past decade, Larry and his teams have attracted more than $583 million in capital investment and facilitated the creation of 7,261 new jobs across diverse markets. His regional expertise spans Los Angeles, Dallas, Austin, Portland, and Birmingham, positioning him as a trusted advisor on regional development strategies, investment attraction, and market intelligence.

In his current role, Larry also serves as Founding Account Executive at MetropolisIQ Technology, Inc., a California-based economic development technology startup, and as a consultant to The Bingham Group, advising one of Central Texas’s leading governmental relations teams on incentive strategy and policy.

Previously, Larry served as Vice President of Economic & Workforce Development for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), overseeing the World Trade Center, Policy, Workforce, and Economic Development teams. In this capacity, he led regional and international initiatives that advanced Los Angeles’ global economic competitiveness.

Earlier in his career, he held transformative roles including Director of Economic Development for the City of Grapevine, Texas, where he led over $500 million in hotel and entertainment investment, restructured local incentive programs, and launched the award-winning "Growing Grapevine" economic development podcast. His leadership in the Pacific Northwest—as COO of the Columbia River Economic Development Council and Vice President of Business Development at Greater Portland Inc.—drove foreign direct investment and regional growth across key industries such as biotech, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.

Larry began his economic development career in the Birmingham-Hoover metro area, where he served as Director of Research and Business Retention/Expansion at the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, followed by economic development leadership roles in Central Texas.

A resident of West Hollywood, California, Larry remains active in community and creative sectors, having served on the boards of Music Portland and Stomping Ground Comedy Theatre in Dallas. At Hilgard Analytics, he brings deep insight and strategic vision to support data-informed economic development practices, helping clients navigate complex challenges and unlock opportunities for inclusive growth.

Senior Communications Advisor

Zane Rice is a Senior Communications Advisor at Hilgard Analytics, where he leads strategic messaging and advocacy efforts that help translate complex research into accessible, high-impact narratives. With deep experience across public affairs, media strategy, and coalition-building, Zane supports Hilgard’s outreach to policymakers, stakeholders, and the broader public.

He is the Principal of Breakthrough Blue, a strategic communications firm that develops advocacy campaigns rooted in community voice and data-driven insights. His team’s work spans media planning and buying, messaging, technology development, survey research, and event coordination—delivering transformative outcomes for clients across sectors.

Zane’s portfolio includes campaigns for major brands, civic institutions, and advocacy organizations, including SKIMS, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Pacific Design Center, Northwood Investors, BIG Outdoor, and Afriat Consulting Group, among many others.

At Hilgard, Zane brings a collaborative, community-centered approach to advancing policy change and building public understanding around housing, economic development, and urban policy.