Deanna K. Anderson Executive Director
Deanna Anderson is the President and Founder of Organized Management Solutions, LLC, an operations management company established in 2005. Deanna has extensive experience managing associations, law firms and small businesses in Arizona and prides herself on her long-term client relationships. She is a graduate of Northern Arizona University where she obtained her degree in Public Relations with a Minor in History and she also obtained her Paralegal Certificate from Phoenix College. Deanna provides GCI with various services including non-profit development and management, day-to-day operations support and strategic planning oversight. Deanna is the proud single parent of a daughter who is a Senior at Saguaro High School and is active in the National Honor Society, as a cheerleader and in their technical theatre program.
Dave Wells, Ph.D. Research Director
Dave Wells helped found the Grand Canyon Institute in 2011. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Public Policy and has been on the faculty of Arizona State University since 1998. He is also the Arizona representative to the Western States Budget Roundtable for the Western Political Science Association. His annual report on the state budget is published in the California Journal of Politics and Policy. Dave is one of Arizona’s most prominent policy experts. He has authored research for GCI in many areas including Medicaid expansion, evaluating the impact of a higher minimum wage, analyzing education funding in Arizona, and helped develop proposals for improving charter school accountability and transparency. His research has been touted in places as ideologically diverse as Mother Jones and Fox News and he frequently appears in Arizona media to share GCI’s latest research.
Contact: (602) 595-1025 ext. 2 • dwells@azgci.org
Max Goshert, MPP Assistant Research Director
Max Goshert has a rich history working to better the lives of his fellow Arizonians. He holds a Master’s in Public Policy from Arizona State University and a Bachelor’s in Marketing from the University of Arizona. He currently works as a research analyst in the higher education sector. Previously, Max served as the chairman for the Coalition to Recall Diane Douglas, leading over 1,300 volunteers to collect tens of thousands of signatures state-wide with the goal of setting a higher standard for the leaders of our education system.
Contact: (602) 595-1025 ext. 12 • mgoshert@azgci.org
Amy Pedotto Research Project Manager
Amy Pedotto has worked in communications and business development in the non-profit sector focused on raising awareness and support for public policy research and human service initiatives. She has bachelors’ degrees in Journalism and Spanish from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in International Policy and Management from the University of California, San Diego.
Contact: apedotto@azgci.org
Laura Rethmann Research Associate
Laura Rethmann is an Instructor in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Northern Arizona University and serves as a Research Associate with the Grand Canyon Institute. Laura’s work centers on community health and safety, with a specific emphasis on examining the relationship between communities and the criminal legal system. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Northland College and a master’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Northern Arizona University.
Contact: lr835@nau.edu
Fellows
Research reports, policy briefings, guest editorials, newsletter articles, etc. are produced through a network of Fellows contracted by the GCI. Fellows are scholars or recognized experts in particular fields of study as determined by the GCI. The GCI Research and Publications Committee serves to provide guidance related to research methodology and content during the Fellow’s preparation of the research product.
Once completed and approved by the Committee, the GCI arranges for distribution of the research product to appropriate media, policy makers, stakeholders, and the general public. If you have an interest in being a GCI fellow, please feel free to contact us at dwells@azgci.org with more about your expertise and background.
Curt Cardine, Ph.D. Fellow
Curt Cardine is a retired educator with 45 years of experience in both districts and charter sectors in multiple states. He has served as a superintendent, principal, adjunct faculty member, company CEO and teacher.
Mr. Cardine has expertise in school law and school finance. He has over 1,200 hours of post-graduate studies in the areas of school law, school finances, and leadership and change and has presented on these topics at conferences.
He has written two books on charter schools published by Rowman and Littlefield. He has a Master’s in Organization and Management with post-graduate work in leadership and change. He has been a national presenter at the American Leadership Conference and was regional leader for the Coalition of Essential Schools.