Hannah Orbach-Mandel (she/her/hers)
Policy Analyst
Hannah Orbach-Mandel, Policy Analyst, conducts research and analysis on gender equity and supporting California workers. The goals of her work are to advance policies that promote equitable working conditions for all workers, especially women and people of color, and to improve the lives of California women and families.
Before joining the Budget Center in 2022, Hannah received a master’s degree in public policy from the Heller School at Brandeis University, where she focused on policies to support survivors of sexual misconduct in higher education and in the workplace, and on paid parental leave policies. While getting her degree, she worked at TIME’S UP where she conducted research on best practices for workplace sexual harassment policies. Hannah earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematics from Kenyon College.
Hannah was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona and enjoys swimming, biking, and running, even in the dry heat. When she isn’t exercising, she loves cooking, reading, and watching sports, especially the University of Michigan Wolverines.
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Recent posts by Hannah Orbach-Mandel
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Commentary
California Cannot Afford to Wait Another Century for Latina Pay Equity
This year, Latina Equal Pay Day — marked on a date symbolizing how far into the year Latinx women must work to earn what white men earned the previous year — serves as a stark reminder of the economic inequities Latinas continue to face. Despite California’s progressive track record, it holds the troubling distinction of …Poverty & Inequality -
Fact Sheet
Wage Disparities for Latinas in California: A Continuing Concern
key takeaway The wage gap for Latinas in California remains alarmingly wide. Systemic barriers in education, employment, and caregiving responsibilities contribute to persistent inequality. When women thrive, their families and communities prosper. Despite decades of progress in job opportunities and earnings, working families still struggle to afford basic needs. This challenge is significantly worse for …Poverty & Inequality -
Report
Revitalizing Unemployment Insurance in California
California’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) system is severely underfunded and outdated, leaving workers with inadequate benefits and excluding millions.Health & Safety NetPoverty & Inequality -
Interactive
The California Women’s Well-Being Index
The California Women’s Well-Being Index is a fully interactive data visualization that looks at women’s well-being in each of California’s 58 counties. The Index shows how women are faring overall and across five different areas of well-being: Health, Personal Safety, Employment & Earnings, Economic Security, and Political Empowerment. See the Index to learn how women are faring in your community.Health & Safety NetPoverty & Inequality -
5Facts
Chosen Family: Expanding Paid Family Leave for Diverse Communities
California's paid family leave program excludes many workers, especially LGBTQ+ and immigrants, from taking leave to care for loved ones because the program's definition of family is too narrow.Poverty & Inequality
