Dave Guarino

Hi, I'm Dave.

I'm a software developer and (reluctant) policy wonk with an interest in complex human problems, often having to do with institutions.

I was previously the founding engineer (and then Director) of GetCalFresh.org at Code for America where I started in 2014 by helping 1 person apply for food stamps, and ended having helped roughly 1 million over 5 years.

I spend a lot of time thinking about how the friction in the design and delivery of safety net benefits has a rationing effect on who gets those benefits, and ways to reduce that friction and better fulfill those programs' intents.

I live in San Francisco, but am originally from Boston, Massachusetts. I went to UC Berkeley.

Some links: