Cassandra Brown, M.B.A.

Cassandra Brown is a vice president at ESI, where she leads high-impact economic analysis and strategic consulting for major institutions across the higher education, healthcare, tourism, and life sciences sectors. With almost 20 years of experience in data-driven decision making and organizational leadership, she has established herself as a trusted advisor to universities, corporations, nonprofit, and government agencies.

As co-leader of ESI’s Universities & Hospitals practice area, Cassandra has delivered comprehensive economic impact and advisory services for a diverse range of higher education institutions, from Ivy League universities and major R1 research institutions to public universities, private colleges, and community colleges. Her work demonstrates measurable economic and tax revenue benefits that these institutions contribute to their regions, informing critical strategic and policy decisions across all sectors of higher education.

Beyond economic analysis, Cassandra provides comprehensive strategic advisory services including university merger and acquisition guidance, payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) analysis, market feasibility services, and institutional strategic planning. Her broader portfolio spans diverse sectors and project types, from conducting economic impact analyses for major events like FIFA World Cup 2026 to managing complex redevelopment studies and workforce development initiatives. She has led market studies for tourism boards and provided strategic guidance on economic development projects.

Cassandra’s deep understanding of higher education stems from her extensive tenure in external affairs at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business, where she advanced through progressive leadership roles over 15+ years. As Executive Director of the Raj & Kamla Gupta Governance Institute, she delivered renowned programming for nonprofit and corporate directors. In these roles, she excelled at creating meaningful engagement opportunities that benefited all stakeholders—building strategic partnerships that enhanced career opportunities for students, fostered research collaborations for faculty, and provided lifelong learning experiences for alumni and industry professionals. Additionally, Cassandra served as the executive director of the National Association of Corporate Directors Philadelphia Chapter, providing educational and programmatic opportunities to corporate and nonprofit directors in the Greater Philadelphia Region.

Cassandra holds an MBA from Drexel University and a BA in French Language and Literature from the University of Delaware. She is recognized for her ability to translate complex economic concepts into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders, from university leadership and government officials to private sector executives and community organizations.