Education
B.A., Public Policy and Global Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Joe Fast (he/him) joined EPI in 2024 after completing his undergraduate degree in economics at Princeton University. As a research assistant, Fast collects, analyzes, and presents economic data; creates data visualizations and literature reviews; and helps prepare articles and blog posts for publication. Fast is particularly interested in topics in labor economics such as inequality, minimum wages, social security, and economic history. In his free time, Fast runs competitively with the Georgetown Running Club and plays ice hockey.

Education 

B.A., Economics, Princeton University

In her most recent role prior to joining EPI, Azad served as the Associate Director of Research and Pipeline Development at Year Up, supporting Year Up’s fundraising efforts and mission to close the opportunity divide for youth via workforce development. With her prior experiences in high-net-worth prospect research, executive pipeline management, CRM data management, and knowledge of revenue operations more broadly, Azad focuses on providing creative solutions and optimizing processes on the Development team. 

Azad is a two-time AmeriCorps alumnus with a background in national community service and passion for racial and economic equity.

Education
B.A., Environmental Science, University of Florida

Prior to joining EPI, Perazza worked in the entertainment and academic publishing industries at the nexus of art, editorial, and digital content. Steeped in comic books, games, computers, and pop culture, Perazza provides Neutral Good support to buff the EPI party.

When not working you’ll find him drinking coffee, making esoteric music playlists, practicing sign language, walking his dog, or “dadding” it up at the ice hockey rink.

Prior to joining EPI, Canner worked in advocacy, public relations and marketing, and printing and publishing spaces. They are also an adjunct professor teaching web design at their alma mater, UMBC. Canner enjoys volunteering, baking, and reading in the hammock in their backyard.

Canner volunteers for organizations they are passionate about supporting. They are a volunteer case manager for Baltimore Abortion Fund and a dog walker, foster, and volunteer graphic designer for Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS). 

Education
B.F.A., Graphic Design, University of Maryland Baltimore County

Prior to joining EPI, Kannan was the Northeast Regional Development Director at Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence. In that role, she oversaw fundraising for the Northeastern States, focusing primarily on high-dollar contributions. Kannan is passionate about work that centers around empowering communities of color through a variety of means including education, workforce development, and voting. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys vocal performance, theater, and spending time with her dog, Otis.

Education
Master of Public Administration, University of South Florida
B.A., Political Science, Furman University

Yan’s passion for finance and operations began early in his career when he served as a Finance Officer at Counterpart International, a global nonprofit that supports sustainable development in underserved communities around the world. During his tenure there, he was responsible for accounting, forecasting, and financial analysis, among other tasks.

Yan’s next challenge came when he joined Results Educational Fund, a grassroots advocacy organization. As the Finance Manager, Yan was responsible for managing the organization’s finances, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.

Education
M.A., Accountancy, Accounting, and Finance, George Washington University School of Business
B.A., Accounting, Shanghai University of International Business and Economics

Prior to joining EPI, Park worked with economists at the International Monetary Fund to develop and refine their writing skills. Park comes from an academic background and has taught American and British literature at the University of Michigan, Mount Holyoke College, and UCLA. In her spare time, she enjoys eating out and listening to music.

Education
Ph.D., English, University of California, Los Angeles
A.M., Comparative Literature, University of Michigan
B.A., English, University of Pennsylvania

Jasmine Payne-Patterson (she/her) joined the Economic Policy Institute in 2023 as senior state policy strategist. She is a friend, advocate, scholar, and servant leader. An advocate for removing systemic barriers, she seeks to identify opportunities to combat intergenerational poverty, bolster socioeconomic mobility, and increase equity. Her key focus areas are economic empowerment, worker’s rights, housing, and social determinants of health.

Payne-Patterson has experience conducting research and advocating at the local, state, and federal levels, holding positions at many nonprofits, government agencies, and campaigns. Previously she worked in the United States House of Representatives, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, CARE, and the Atlanta Community Food Bank, as well as several other community-centered organizations. Committed to community involvement, Payne-Patterson has served on various boards including as the vice chair of the Georgia Piedmont Technical College Foundation board of trustees and formerly as the president of her homeowner’s association.

Payne-Patterson has been interviewed, cited or quoted by CNN, BET, Essence, Advocate Today, Malveaux!, Bloomberg News, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and MLK50. Her work has been referenced by Reuters and NBC.

Believing that everyone can be a catalyst for change, she believes that “we are the ones that we have been waiting for.”

Education
Master of Public Administration with a Concentration in Urban Planning and Economic Development, Georgia State University
Bachelor of Arts in English, Spelman College

Education
B.A., Economics, American University