Strategic Collaborations
Supporting our many client projects, BEI has actively created solutions to meet the demand for sound planning and strategic assessments, using key economic information to inform decisions regarding proposed projects, public policy, and programs to bring multiple voices and issues to the table. Ms. Brion’s core focus is to serve the broader community and bring strategic planning to generate the largest public benefit possible from each assignment.
Currently, the needs for child care are great and BEI is working with strategic partners to bring more awareness to the stark needs in each community for quality child care options. Needs Assessments and Facilities Evaluations are proving key inquiry of interest among many counties across the nation. To meet these needs, BEI collaborates with individuals and firms who specialize in ECE.
Economics and Policy Analysis
Kristen Anderson, PhD
Kristen Anderson ConsultingKristen Anderson is a community child care planning expert who specializes in facilities planning and development and local land use policies. She first worked with BEI on the City of South San Francisco’s child care impact fee study in the early 2000s and has joined BEI teams for child care needs assessments and other related studies for several California counties. Ms. Anderson is based in Redwood City where she served as City Child Care Coordinator, helping develop several planning “best practice” policies and a pipeline of new child care facilities during her 20-year tenure in this position. Dr. Anderson authored Planning for Child Care in California (Solano Press Books, 2006) and holds a Ph.D. in Education and Child Development from Stanford.
Ericka O Erickson, EdD
Omena Impact ConsultingEricka Omena Erickson is a seasoned policy and research consultant with over 20 years of experience in community development and early care and education (ECE). Specialized in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), she brings deep expertise in equitable communications and community engagement. Ericka holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on Social Justice and Equity from San Francisco State University and a Master of Public Administration. Her dedication to inclusivity and comprehensive skill set make her a valuable asset to any project.
Sarah Kinahan
Sarah Kinahan ConsultingDrawing on her experience working for a variety of nonprofits and government agencies, Sarah Kinahan is a seasoned leader with a diverse background in early childhood education, family support, and health care. As Sarah Kinahan Consulting, she provides strategic planning, needs assessments, program start-up planning, and management and planning process facilitation. Organizations she has supported include Izzi Early Education (Head Start/Early Head Start grantee), First 5 San Mateo County, the San Mateo County Office of Education, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. She holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MA in Cultural Anthropology from Portland State University.
Ulrike Jaklin
Ulrike Jaklin is a research associate for BEI who specializes in auditing data models, data analysis, and survey design, administration and analysis using SurveyMonkey. Ms. Jaklin obtained a BSc in Agricultural Studies and completed a Magister, equivalent to a BA and MA, in International Development at the University of Vienna, Austria.
Richard Berkson
Berkson AssociatesRichard L. Berkson has more than 30 years of experience evaluating the fiscal impacts of development proposals and has prepared financial and fiscal analyses of numerous large-scale, mixed-use projects in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Recently, he managed and prepared the following studies:
- Municipal Service Reviews (MSRs) Sanitary District (EPASD), and West Bay Sanitary District (WBSD), East Palo Alto
- Mountain House Community Services District (MHCSD) Incorporation Feasibility Study, Mountain House
- Fiscal Analysis of Balboa Reservoir Project, San Francisco
- Economic Impact Study of Self-Storage Project, San Francisco