Staff Directory

Ralph da Costa Nunez, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Ralph da Costa Nunez has worked with homeless families for over 25 years, starting in the office of then-New York City mayor Ed Koch in the early 1980s, and this career-long experience has shaped his ideas and approach to public policy and service provision for this vulnerable population. Recognized as one of the foremost scholars in the field of child and family homelessness, Dr. Nunez has led ICPH in producing provocative, evidence-based research designed to influence public policy, and he shares the results of that work with research colleagues, service providers, and policy makers across the country. In 2004, Dr. Nunez drew on his experience in city and state government to write his well-received history of family homelessness in New York City, “A Shelter Is Not a Home … Or Is It?” updated in January 2010 with the release of “A Shelter Is Not a Home … Or Is It? Revisited.” Dr. Nunez holds a PhD in political science from Columbia University, where he is also a professor at the School of International and Public Affairs.

Matthew Adams, Principal Policy Analyst.
A specialist in spatial analysis with years of experience in Geographical Information Systems, Matthew Adams leads the National Survey of Programs and Services for Homeless Families, an online compendium of state-by-state interconnections between governmental and nonprofit work to end family homelessness. Prior to joining ICPH in October 2008, Matt worked for Robert K. Futterman & Associates in New York and DeLorme Mapping in Maine. Matt holds a Masters degree in geography from Boston University and a Bachelor’s degree from Clark University.

Linda Bazerjian, Director of External Affairs.
A seasoned communications professional with experience in the private and government sectors, Linda Bazerjian oversees communications strategy, media relations, and partnerships for the Institute. She is also the editor of UNCENSORED, ICPH’s magazine on American family experiences with poverty and homelessness. Before joining ICPH, she worked in communications for the New York City Department of Homeless Services and the Maryland State Department of Education, as well as several private firms. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from New York University.

Ethan G. Sribnick, Senior Research Associate.
A published historian with expertise in child welfare and public policy, Ethan Sribnick is researching the history of family poverty and homelessness in New York City. He has conducted extensive research into the history of public policy surrounding children’s issues, and his work has been published in numerous scholarly journals and presented at conferences. He holds a PhD from the University of Virginia, where he wrote his dissertation on child welfare policy between 1945 and 1980. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago.

Clifford Thompson, Managing Editor.
With years of experience as an editor and editorial manager, Clifford Thompson oversees the editing and production of all ICPH publications. Prior to joining the Institute in early 2012, he served as the editor in chief of the reference publication Current Biography. A widely published essayist, with work in such publications as The Threepenny Review and Film Quarterly, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing from Oberlin College.

Felicia Yang DeLeone, Principal Policy Researcher.
Specializing in family and health policy, Felicia Yang DeLeone has conducted past research projects on such topics as the impact of welfare policy on immigrant fertility; the relationship between marriage and health; and the transition to fatherhood. Most recently, she has analyzed a nationwide data set for the ICPH series "Profiles of Risk," examining the characteristics that distinguish homeless families. She received her PhD in policy analysis and management from Cornell University and holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

See a full list of ICPH staff.