Contact Us
Boehly Center Team
Brett Hammond is visiting professor of economics and finance, coming to William & Mary with a background in the investment industry. He spent his undergraduate years at the University of California, Santa Cruz (Banana Slugs) – at the time a public liberal arts school much like William & Mary. He then received his Ph.D. from MIT in public policy, followed by teaching stints at UC Berkeley and UCLA, and ten years at the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), doing energy and environmental policy research and managing the behavioral and social sciences division. In response to a congressional request, he led an NAS project that adjudicated a sharp dispute in higher education on the benefits and costs of ending mandatory retirement for tenured professors. Subsequently, at TIAA, the pension provider for higher education, he worked with the U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary and others on the introduction of U.S. inflation-linked bonds as well as TIAA’s first target date funds and individual asset allocation models. As Chief Investment Strategist he spent time at over 150 college and university campuses advising pension sponsors, investment committees, and individuals. He then moved to MSCI, where he wrote award-winning research on factor investing and benchmark management. Moving from MSCI to the Capital Group, he did research on whether active management adds value as well as the multiple roles of fixed income in portfolios. He has written or edited ten books and over 20 articles on pensions, investments, and other topics.
Susan Grainger joined the Boehly Center for Excellence in Finance in 2025 as the Associate Director of Academic Engagement and Student Professional Development.
From admissions to graduation, and everything in between, Susan has been a key contributor to student success for over seventeen years. Before joining William & Mary in 2008, Susan built her career in recruiting and business development, connecting talent with opportunities and building strong professional networks. This background informs her approach to advising, helping students navigate both academic decisions and career paths.
Susan is especially passionate about supporting students pursuing careers in finance, connecting them with alumni and industry professionals while providing guidance and resources for their next steps. Known as a “Fixer of All Things,” she is dedicated to creating a supportive environment where students can explore their interests, build networks, and succeed.
With a background in history and a passion for creating meaningful experiences, Alicia brings over a decade of expertise in education, programming, and event planning to her role as Event Planner for the 2025 Women’s Stock Pitch at the Boehly Center for Excellence in Finance.
A proud graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University, Alicia began her career at Colonial Williamsburg, where she spent nine years designing and leading immersive programs for educators through the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute. Her journey into event planning has included roles with the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, William & Mary, and Locus Impact Investing—each one deepening her commitment to thoughtful, mission-driven events that connect people and ideas.
Most recently, Alicia served as Project Manager in the Research, Training, and Program Design division at Colonial Williamsburg before returning to William & Mary to support the Boehly Center’s signature initiatives.
Alicia thrives on collaboration, creativity, and logistics done right. She’s energized by the opportunity to support students, foster industry connections, and bring events to life that inspire confidence and community. Whether she’s coordinating a high-impact pitch competition or fine-tuning the details behind the scenes, Alicia is all about making every moment count.
General Inquiries
The Boehly Center for Excellence in Finance
The Raymond A. Mason School of Business
William & Mary
Miller Hall 2002
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
E-mail: boehly.center@mason.wm.edu
