ALBANY, NY | The Fiscal Policy Institute (FPI) has appointed Dr. Emily Eisner as its new Executive Director, effective immediately. Previously serving as FPI’s Chief Economist since 2024 and Acting Executive Director since early 2026, Dr. Eisner will now lead the organization in its research-driven initiatives and policy advocacy efforts in Albany and New York City.
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Dr. Eisner succeeds Nathan Gusdorf, who departed to take a position as Deputy Director of Policy, Planning, and Delivery at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget. During her time as Acting Executive Director, Dr. Eisner established a clear vision for the organization, solidifying its influence on fiscal policy matters affecting New Yorkers.
Since joining FPI in 2023, Dr. Eisner has played a crucial role in several key initiatives. She co-led FPI’s research on tax migration, which provided significant analysis debunking the myth of “millionaire tax flight.” This research has been influential in shaping legislative discussions on unemployment insurance, contributing to a major benefit increase in October 2025. Additionally, her work on the state SNAP replacement was vital during the recent federal shutdown, and her testimony on rent regulation received praise from a member of the New York City Rent Guidelines Board for its comprehensive approach to representing tenant perspectives.
Brian McDonnell, Vice-Chair of FPI’s Board of Directors, noted that Dr. Eisner has enhanced FPI’s reputation through rigorous research, particularly related to Medicaid and tax flight issues.
Wayne Spence, President of the New York State Public Employees Federation, expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Dr. Eisner to tackle New York's affordability challenges.
Dr. Eisner holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, where she specialized in macroeconomics, public finance, and labor economics. Her graduate research, advised by Christina Romer, included significant studies on technological change and labor markets, and in 2022, she contributed to OpenAI’s first public report on the economic impacts of artificial intelligence.
“I look forward to working with New York policymakers to strengthen the social safety net and promote investment in universal public services such as education, healthcare, and transit,” Dr. Eisner stated. “In FPI’s thirty-fifth year and beyond, my colleagues and I will continue our commitment to producing research that supports a dynamic and affordable New York.”
Founded in 1991, the Fiscal Policy Institute is a nonpartisan think tank dedicated to advancing equitable fiscal policy to enhance New York’s economy through research and strategic communication.