
Our Experts
The Center for Economic Progress has assisted more than 175,000
We also lead a national organization of tax programs that serve nearly one million low-income taxpayers across the country.
We have several experts on staff who can speak on tax and financial issues affecting low-wage workers and their families.
Topics of expertise include:
To speak with one of our experts, please contact Raissa Allaire (phone: (312) 630-0247, email).
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David Marzahl serves as the President at the Center for Economic Progress. In his current role, David is a leading voice and strategist on economy security issues, seeking to advance policies and practices to create a financial system that works for all Americans. In addition to his work with the Center, David also helped establish the National Community Tax Coalition—a group of over 500 organizations that works to promote the economic progress of low-wage workers and their families.
Prior to joining the Center in 1998, David was the founding director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights, a statewide coalition promoting the rights and responsibilities of immigrants and refugees. He has worked in Chicago's non-profit community since 1981, serving as a community organizer, outreach worker and leader overcoming barriers and boundaries in the pursuit of social and economic justice. David has a master's degree in Political Economy from Northwestern University.
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Rolando Palacios, the Director of Tax Services, has been with the Center since 2001. Prior to joining CEP, he worked as a consultant doing development work for non-profit organizations that provide low-income housing. In addition, he worked in the telecommunications industry for 14 years. Rolando first became involved with the Center as a volunteer tax preparer. He later became a volunteer for the Midwest Tax Clinic and went on to join the staff as the Center's Tax Clinic Manager. Rolando is an IRS Certified Enrolled Agent who holds an M.S. in Telecommunications from DePaul University as well as a B.S. from DePaul.
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