Jake Pawlak joined the staff of Keystone Research Center in 2026 as the Pittsburgh Director of Strategic Policy Initiatives, helping to lead KRC’s development of a place-based practice focused on the unique policy challenges and opportunities facing Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Prior to joining KRC, Jake spent nearly two decades as a policy practitioner and public administrator in local and state government in Western Pennsylvania, working on diverse issue areas including municipal finance, economic development, housing, and infrastructure. Most recently, he served as Deputy Mayor to Mayor Ed Gainey and Director of the City of Pittsburgh Office of Management & Budget from 2022 to 2026, where he acted as a senior advisor to the Mayor and was responsible for the day-to-day management of all aspects of municipal operations.
Jake is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where he studied Political Science and Economics. He and his family live in Pittsburgh.