New Jersey Policy Perspective today announced that President Brandon McKoy will be stepping down to take a new position with Center on Budget and Policy Priorities:

TRENTON (September 28, 2021) – Today, Brandon McKoy announced that after seven years with New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP), the last two and a half as President, he will step down at the end of October 2021 to join the senior leadership team of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), a DC-based think tank that promotes public policies to reduce poverty and advance equity.

Under Brandon McKoy’s leadership, NJPP has grown bigger, stronger, and more diverse than ever before, with a larger staff, more funding, and a broader research portfolio than at any other time in the organization’s 25-year history.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to lead NJPP through this deeply transformative chapter,” said NJPP President Brandon McKoy. “Over the last few years, we have grown substantially — in funding, size, and influence — and radically reshaped the narrative on the role of state budgets in advancing racial equity. While this is a bittersweet moment, my new position will provide me a platform to counsel, strengthen, and resource NJPP and other state think tanks across the country so that they are better able to model our success.”

In November, Brandon McKoy will become the Vice President of State Partnerships at CBPP, providing strategic support to a network of think tanks across 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.

“Through his bold and strategic thinking, tireless advocacy on behalf of low-and moderate-income New Jerseyans, and commitment to racial and economic justice, Brandon has led NJPP to new heights and cemented himself as a respected leader in the State Priorities Partnership network,” said Sharon Parrott, President of CBPP. “I am thrilled to have him join CBPP where his work will continue to have a profound impact on families and communities in states across the country.”

“Brandon’s departure will leave a void in Trenton,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “As President of New Jersey Policy Perspective, Brandon was heavily involved in advocating for many of our administration’s biggest accomplishments, including enacting a pathway to the $15 minimum wage and restoring the millionaire’s tax.  While I am sad to see him leave, I know that his work on dismantling structures of racism and wealth disparity has made this state a better place for working families and that he will bring the same values and perspective to Washington.”

NJPP’s Board of Trustees will begin to search for a new president who will continue to center racial equity and data-driven solutions in policy debates across the Garden State.

“NJPP was already the premier think tank in New Jersey, but under Brandon’s leadership the organization is now the North Star and leading voice on issues of racial justice,” said Marcia Marley, NJPP Board Chair and President of BlueWaveNJ. “While no transition is easy, NJPP is stronger than ever before thanks to Brandon’s leadership. Though we are sad to see him go, we are thrilled to see his hard work validated and excited to work with him in his new role.”

Brandon McKoy has worked at NJPP for more than seven years and has served as the organization’s President since 2019. Under Brandon’s leadership, NJPP:

• Played a critical role in advancing policies that benefit millions of New Jersey residents every day, including the $15 minimum wage, millionaires tax, driver’s license expansion, all kids health coverage, marijuana legalization, and expansions to the social safety net and tax credits for working families.
• Doubled its full-time staff, allowing the organization to expand its research into education, criminal and legal systems, climate, transit, and child care.
• Expanded its budget by more than 75 percent and built a healthy financial reserve by engaging with local and national funders who are deeply invested in pursuing racial equity.
• Rebranded with a new logo, visual identity, and website that makes the organization’s research more accessible.

NJPP will celebrate Brandon’s tenure with the organization on October 21, 2021 at Progress 2021: Honoring Brandon McKoy. Reservations and sponsorships are available here.