Founding Principal

Joshua Baum is the Founding Principal of Hilgard Analytics, a mission-driven economics and planning research firm established in 2020. An urban economist by training, they lead a practice focused on delivering equity-centered insights that help public agencies, private firms, and community organizations make informed, strategic decisions about real estate, development, and economic policy.

In 2025, Baum also began serving full-time as a Research Associate at SEIU Local 721, where they conduct economic and policy research to support frontline public sector workers and advance equitable labor standards across Southern California. While holding this role, they continue to lead Hilgard Analytics on a part-time basis, focusing on high-impact, mission-aligned projects.

Baum’s background spans consulting, labor, and government, with prior roles at Beacon Economics, the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, and the City of Fort Worth’s Economic Development Department. This cross-sector experience informs Hilgard’s approach to real estate market studies, workforce strategies, and economic impact analysis—always with a focus on equity and public good.

Hilgard’s work has shaped decisions at the California State Legislature, Los Angeles City Council, and LA County Board of Supervisors, and has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Urbanize LA, The Real Deal, and other major outlets.

A proud Double Bruin, Baum earned both a B.A. in Political Science and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) from UCLA. Their work bridges economics, planning, and equity—connecting data with community priorities to help build a more just and resilient future.

They can be reached 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.

Senior Housing Policy Advisor

Shawn Danino brings over 15 years of cross-sector leadership in housing policy, land use, and development. He has a proven track record of helping jurisdictions across California plan for growth, comply with state mandates, and implement effective, locally tailored strategies. As Senior Housing Policy Advisor at Hilgard Analytics, he offers deep expertise in housing elements, program design, and state policy compliance.

Shawn currently serves as Policy Manager and Senior Development Officer at the City of San José Housing Department, where he authored the City's moderate-income housing strategy and has led initiatives on tenant preference policies, consolidated planning, federal grant applications, and interdepartmental coordination.

Previously, he spent nearly five years at the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), where he reviewed housing elements for over 40 jurisdictions and helped launch statewide programs including LEAP, SB 2, and the Pro-housing Incentive Program. He was instrumental in developing the ADU Program, the Housing Accountability Unit, and the Pro-housing Designation Program, and served as lead policy analyst on adaptive reuse legislation such as SB 6.

In the private sector, Shawn served as Policy and Development Director at ATD Development, where he led pro forma modeling, capital stack structuring, and entitlement strategies for small- and mid-scale affordable housing projects. He has also collaborated with advocacy organizations such as SAJE, Abundant Housing LA, and California YIMBY.

Shawn holds dual master’s degrees in Public Policy and Information Science from the University of Michigan, with a focus on municipal finance. His broad public, private, and legislative experience makes him a strategic asset to Hilgard’s public sector clients.

Urban Strategy Advisor

Robert McMonies is an emerging leader in urban planning and design with a growing portfolio of work spanning the United States and Europe. As Urban Strategy Advisor at Hilgard Analytics, he supports cross-sector efforts to shape more livable, connected, and climate-resilient communities—drawing on his academic training, international experience, and passion for equitable urbanism.

He holds a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from UCLA and a Bachelor’s from Pitzer College, where he focused on politics, environmental analysis, and urban design. While at UCLA, he served in the Office of the President of the Los Angeles City Council, contributing to policy development on housing, planning, and transportation. He also completed a capstone project for the California Strategic Growth Council, advancing building code reforms to reduce the cost of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) construction.

Internationally, Robert worked with the Paris-based urban design firm TVK on bike and pedestrian planning for a major redevelopment project, as well as a geospatial research initiative focused on climate resilience in coastal France. His work emphasizes mobility, land use, and sustainable design strategies rooted in real-world implementation.

Robert brings hands-on experience across Portland, Los Angeles, and Paris, with a deep commitment to reimagining cities as inclusive, efficient, and opportunity-rich places. At Hilgard, he contributes to research, design, and strategy projects that help cities meet the moment with data-informed solutions and bold urban vision.