Founding Principal

Joshua Baum is the Principal of Hilgard Analytics, a mission-driven real estate and economic development research firm founded in 2020. An urban economist by training, they lead a practice that specializes in data-driven research and strategic analytics to help public agencies, private organizations, and nonprofit institutions make informed decisions and design long-term solutions.

At Hilgard Analytics, Baum oversees all aspects of firm operations — from project delivery and strategic planning to staff and contractor management and business development. They lead a diverse portfolio of work, including real estate market analyses, workforce development studies, and economic impact studies to inform public policy and investment strategy. As an urban economist, they focus on translating complex data into actionable insights that drive economic growth, support community development, and deliver measurable impact.

Hilgard Analytics has partnered with high-profile clients including the Hollywood Partnership, Urban Land Institute, and the City of Los Angeles, and has produced research that informs decision-making at the California State Legislature, Los Angeles City Council, and LA County Board of Supervisors. Baum is also a recognized industry expert, with insights featured in media outlets such as Urbanize LA, The Real Deal, and Westside Current.

Before committing full-time to Hilgard Analytics in 2025, they held project leadership roles with the City of Fort Worth’s Economic Development Department, the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, and Beacon Economics. These roles deepened their expertise in economic impact studies, workforce analysis, labor market strategy, and urban economic development — contributing to initiatives that supported industry growth and regional resilience.

A Double Bruin, Baum earned both a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) from UCLA. Their work is grounded in a commitment to using research and data to address complex challenges at the intersection of economics, planning, and community well-being.

Joshua can be reached directly at jbaum@hilgard-analytics.com or by phone at (949) 683-6201.

Programs & Community Strategy Advisor

Mallery Jenna Robinson serves as the Programs & Community Strategy Advisor at Hilgard Analytics, bringing more than 13 years of experience across leadership, project management, customer service, and case management. An Afra-Caribbean transgender Black woman with ancestral ties to Haiti, Mallery brings an intersectional, equity-driven lens to her work, informed by a deep commitment to social justice and community empowerment.

With seven years in project management roles at organizations such as The Center Long Beach, Mallery has led impactful initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness and advance community-centered goals. Her tenure as Community Outreach Director at Savant of Santa Monica further showcased her strength in building inclusive networks and fostering meaningful partnerships.

Mallery also brings a decade of teaching experience, where she developed exceptional communication and mentorship skills—supporting individuals in realizing their full potential and driving collective success. Her background in caregiving reflects her compassionate approach to leadership and people-centered work.

In addition to her operational expertise, Mallery is a passionate advocate and creative storyteller with interests in journalism, communications, singing, dancing, and modeling. Her multifaceted skill set enhances her ability to advise on program strategy, amplify community voices, and contribute meaningfully to initiatives at the intersection of data, equity, and impact.

At Hilgard Analytics, Mallery plays a key role in aligning programs and community strategies with the organization’s mission—ensuring that equity, inclusion, and lived experience remain central to the work.

Economic Development Strategy Advisor

Larry Holt serves as Economic Development Strategy Advisor at Hilgard Analytics, bringing over 15 years of executive leadership in multisector economic development, investment strategy, and workforce advancement. Nationally recognized by Consultant Connect as one of the Top 50 Economic Development Executives in the U.S., Larry is known for his ability to translate the needs of governments, businesses, and communities into high-impact strategies that drive inclusive growth and sustainable investment.

Over the past decade, Larry and his teams have attracted more than $583 million in capital investment and facilitated the creation of 7,261 new jobs across diverse markets. His regional expertise spans Los Angeles, Dallas, Austin, Portland, and Birmingham, positioning him as a trusted advisor on regional development strategies, investment attraction, and market intelligence.

In his current role, Larry also serves as Founding Account Executive at MetropolisIQ Technology, Inc., a California-based economic development technology startup, and as a consultant to The Bingham Group, advising one of Central Texas’s leading governmental relations teams on incentive strategy and policy.

Previously, Larry served as Vice President of Economic & Workforce Development for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), overseeing the World Trade Center, Policy, Workforce, and Economic Development teams. In this capacity, he led regional and international initiatives that advanced Los Angeles’ global economic competitiveness.

Earlier in his career, he held transformative roles including Director of Economic Development for the City of Grapevine, Texas, where he led over $500 million in hotel and entertainment investment, restructured local incentive programs, and launched the award-winning "Growing Grapevine" economic development podcast. His leadership in the Pacific Northwest—as COO of the Columbia River Economic Development Council and Vice President of Business Development at Greater Portland Inc.—drove foreign direct investment and regional growth across key industries such as biotech, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.

Larry began his economic development career in the Birmingham-Hoover metro area, where he served as Director of Research and Business Retention/Expansion at the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, followed by economic development leadership roles in Central Texas.

A resident of West Hollywood, California, Larry remains active in community and creative sectors, having served on the boards of Music Portland and Stomping Ground Comedy Theatre in Dallas. At Hilgard Analytics, he brings deep insight and strategic vision to support data-informed economic development practices, helping clients navigate complex challenges and unlock opportunities for inclusive growth.

Public & Nonprofit Strategy Advisor

Ashley Powell serves as the Public & Nonprofit Strategy Advisor at Hilgard Analytics, bringing over a decade of experience at the intersection of nonprofit leadership, social policy, and community-based program development. With a strong foundation in both direct service and systems-level strategy, Ashley provides insight into how public and nonprofit sectors can collaborate more effectively to drive equitable and sustainable outcomes.

Born in Santa Monica and a proud fourth-generation Angeleno, Ashley has dedicated her career to serving vulnerable and historically marginalized communities across Los Angeles. She has worked as a Case Manager for transition-age youth, including LGBTQIA+ populations, as well as adults in the GAIN program, supporting employment and self-sufficiency efforts through strengths-based, trauma-informed approaches.

Her professional background includes extensive experience in nonprofit programming, fundraising, and event planning, where she has led initiatives that elevate community voices and improve access to essential services. Ashley has also held leadership roles with youth-focused organizations, including serving as the youngest board member of United in Harmony, and as a longtime volunteer with Camp Harmony, where she helped develop a leadership program serving hundreds of children and teens across Los Angeles.

Ashley’s academic credentials reflect her deep commitment to systems change. She earned a B.A. in Sociology from Occidental College (with a minor in Art History and the Visual Arts/Film), followed by dual graduate degrees from the University of Southern California: a Master of Social Work from the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, with a concentration in Community Organizing, Planning, and Administration, and a Master of Public Administration from the Sol Price School of Public Policy, with a focus on Nonprofit Management.

At Hilgard Analytics, Ashley advises on public sector and nonprofit strategy, helping to ensure that data-informed work is aligned with equity goals, responsive to real-world needs, and grounded in deep understanding of community systems. Her insight strengthens the firm’s ability to bridge policy, practice, and impact across sectors.