Monica Saucedo

Monica Saucedo, Senior Policy Fellow, conducts research on public policies related to the social safety net and their effect on Californians with low incomes. Her current work focuses on the CalFresh, CalWORKs, and SSI/SSP programs. The goal of her work is to promote equity in policy-making through robust research and build systems that improve the welfare of marginalized communities. Monica co-leads the development of research methodology best practices and supports the team with her technical expertise in rigorous research designs.

Before joining the Budget Center in 2023, Monica spent several years working in the nonprofit sector, where she coordinated programs aimed at closing equity gaps in education and expanding safety net coverage. While in graduate school, she worked at the California Policy Lab researching higher education and access to public assistance benefits. Monica holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and bachelor’s degrees in economics and mathematics from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.

When she’s not wrangling her three dogs, she enjoys simple activities like cooking, reading, and solving crossword puzzles.