Deborah Gonzalez, who has worked in the California Legislature for more than 25 years, joins PPIC today as director of government affairs. Gonzalez has been policy and fiscal director for five Republican leaders. She is widely recognized and respected for her work across party lines and her knowledge of the state budget, taxes, education, and health and human services. Most recently, she was principal consultant to Senator Janet Nguyen.
In her new role, Gonzalez will lead PPIC’s government affairs team—the liaison to the state capital community for all of the institute’s research and engagement efforts. She will also join PPIC’s executive team.
“For some time, Deborah has been a trusted source of advice and information for me and a strong supporter of our mission,” said Mark Baldassare, PPIC president and CEO. “I am delighted that she is taking on a leadership role at PPIC to help us achieve that mission—informing and improving public policy in California through independent nonpartisan research.”
Gonzalez will be based in the PPIC Sacramento Center, across from the state capitol.
“PPIC offers me the opportunity to help bring evidence-based research into the legislative process,” Gonzalez said. “It also gives me the chance to work in a wide variety of public policy topics. I’m particularly excited about the new PPIC Higher Education Center. Both my husband and I are first-generation college students, and we think that higher education is incredibly important.”
Gonzalez has a bachelor’s degree from Claremont McKenna College and a law degree from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.