Our Story

The Boehly Center for Excellence in Finance offers students a vastly enriched experience as they prepare for careers of principled achievement in finance. Founding in 2014 through a generous multi-year gift from Katie (BA ’95 and Todd (BBA ’96), Boehly, The Center offers programs and services for all William & Mary students (any major, any year) interested in careers in financial services.

The Center provides opportunities for advanced financial training, career exploration, networking, and experiential learning through financial firm-sponsored competitions as well as through industry-leader and dedicated faculty-taught courses. The Center capitalizes on William & Mary’s ideal size by offering uniquely personalized programs, including alumni mentor matching and academic and career advising.

The Center also offers leadership opportunities through our student-run clubs: the Howard J. Busbee Finance Academy, the Mason Investment Club, Women in Business, and Smart Woman Securities.

Leadership

Julie R. Agnew ’91, Associate Professor of Economics and Finance, served as the inaugural faculty Directory of the Center from its inception through June 2016. Under her leadership, the Center established its reputation for innovation through several successful initiatives, including the first finance-focused summer study abroad program in Singapore, the inaugural Women’s Stock Pitch & Leadership Summit, the annual Invictus Challenge Case Competition, and the creation of a new practitioner-led course on Risk Management.

James Haltiner, Chancellor Professor of Economics and Finance, and Carl Tack ’78, Visiting Lecturer in Finance, served as Co-Directors of the Center from July 2016 through 2019. In addition to expanding the practitioner-led course offerings and growing the annual Women’s Stock Pitch event, they launched the Financial Literacy Program. Professors Haltiner and Tack also oversaw the expansion of the Center team, adding a second Associate Director position focused on Strategic Engagement to complement the original Associate Director for Academic Engagement, as well as an Administrative Coordinator.

Jad Howell MAcc ‘05, was hired in May 2020 as the Center’s first full-time Executive Director. An alumnus of Mason’s Masters of Accounting program, Howell returned to his alma mater to lead the Boehly Center in a new strategic plan. Through Howell’s leadership, the Center launched an official mission, vision and five strategic goals (Elevate, Educate, Engage, Empower & Employ). In addition, due to COVID-19, Howell and the Boehly Center team launched a 4-week summer program with Professor Katherine Guthrie for students that lost their jobs due to the pandemic, providing a 4-week Summer Business Institute providing students with tactical and practical experience over their summer.