Our Story

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.

Morgan Hutter ’06, served as the Associate Director for Strategic Engagement of the Boehly Center for two years before transitioning to Interim Executive Director in May 2021. Prior to the Boehly Center, Morgan served as Director of Alumni Affairs at the William & Mary Law School. While a student at William & Mary, Morgan was a member of the women’s lacrosse team and Pi Beta Phi. Prior to returning to her alma mater, she received her Master’s in Sports Marketing and spent 10 years in project management, event production, relationship cultivation, marketing, hospitality and development in nonprofit organizations.

Joey Smith is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Finance and Economics at the Mason School and Executive Director of the Boehly Center. Joey entered academia after serving as an Air Force JAG for 8 years followed by corporate finance roles at Walmart Inc in Bentonville, AR. He is completing his DBA in Finance from the University of Florida and holds an LLM in Securities and Financial Regulation from Georgetown University Law Center, MBA from Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business, JD from William & Mary Law School, and a BS in Mathematical Economics from Hampden-Sydney College. He is also a CFA charter holder.