Paul Craney

Executive Director

Paul graduated from Gordon College and is a first-generation American, his mother immigrated to the United States from Mexico City. Paul is the spokesperson and serves on the board. He previously was the Executive Director and was the first hire of the organization.

He has been quoted in numerous media outlets including the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Boston Business Journal, Taunton Daily Gazette, Fall River Herald, Worcester Telegram and Gazette, Lowell Sun, Eagle Tribune, Salem Daily News, Cape Cod Times, Sun Chronicle, Milford Daily News, Metro West Daily News, Springfield Republican, State House News, Associated Press, NECN, and WGBH. Prior to his role at Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, Paul worked in politics in New Jersey and Washington, D.C.

You may follow Paul on Twitter @PaulDiegoCraney.

Kristen Arute

Major Gifts Manager

Kristen Arute serves as Major Gifts Manager at the Fiscal Alliance Foundation. She previously served for several years on the organization’s board of directors, where she helped strengthen its network of supporters and advance its mission.

A resident of Hingham and former candidate for the Massachusetts State Legislature, Kristen and her family have deep roots in the community. She also serves as the Program Director for Hingham CARES, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing substance use among youth. Kristen is a graduate of Wheelock College in Boston with a degree in education. She began her career as a Market Research Coordinator for a fast-growing educational software company before earning her licensure in middle school mathematics and teaching as a remedial math instructor in the public school system while also building a successful private tutoring business.

Kristen is also an author and recently completed her debut book, the powerful true story of a woman who survived the devastating aftermath of World War II in East Prussia. The manuscript is currently being pitched to publishers by her agent, and she is developing several additional writing projects.

Kristen lives in Hingham with her husband, Michael, and is a proud mother and grandmother.

Laurie Belsito

Policy Director

Laurie works as the Policy Director at the Fiscal Alliance Foundation where she tracks important pieces of legislation and serves as the research coordinator. She most recently worked as the sole research associate in the Government Relations department at The Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C. where she provided in-depth policy research, organized policy briefings and retreats for members of Congress and their key staff and maintained relationships with key groups of coalition partners.

She graduated with her Bachelor’s from UMass-Amherst with a double major in history and political science. An active member of her church, she currently resides in North Andover, MA with her husband, Paul, Welsh Terrier, Buckley.

Elizabeth Brown

Vermont State Director

Elizabeth is the State Director for Vermont at the Fiscal Alliance Foundation where she supports the organization's mission in helping Vermont promote fiscal responsibility and government transparency through education and engagement. Previously, Elizabeth spent twenty-five years in corporate development and program execution working for financial services firms, most recently as Head of Strategy for a national bank. She excels in developing and implementing large scale integrated strategies and supporting leaders to grow and optimize their organizations with the ability to plan, execute and deliver measurable results.

Elizabeth was a candidate for VT House of Representatives in the Washington-Chittenden District in 2024 and a former Harwood Unified Union School District school board member.

She is a graduate of the University of Vermont majoring in business administration with concentrations in finance and marketing. She has lived in Vermont for 30 years and currently resides in Waterbury, VT with her husband and two children.

Carl Copeland

Director of Strategy

Carl spent 24 years in corporate management, working his way from junior assistant to partner, yet assisting others in the political process has always been one of his greatest pleasures.  A lifelong resident of Massachusetts, Carl feels that the success achieved to date can be replicated and expanded throughout the Commonwealth.  As a past Political Director, he has assisted many that have considered a career in public service.

Prior to his role with the Fiscal Alliance Foundation, Carl was the chief of staff to Representative Kevin Kuros (R-Uxbridge) and Senator Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton).

Jason Crosby

Media Director

Paul Gangi

Program Director

A seven year veteran staffer of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Paul joined the Fiscal Alliance Foundation as program director at the beginning of 2018. He brings with him extensive policy knowledge on issues of government reform, reduction in state spending, and the Massachusetts state budget.

A near-lifelong resident of North Andover, Paul is a 2010 graduate of Boston College with a double major in History and Secondary Education. In his spare time he enjoys volunteering on local political campaigns, where he has accumulated extensive experience working with fiscally responsible candidates across all levels of government.

Jess Garlock

Development Associate