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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 recently joined the Boehly Center for Excellence in Finance as the Associate Director of Academic Engagement & Operations.
From admissions to graduation, and everything in between, Susan has been a key contributor to student success for the past twelve years. Most recently, Susan was the Associate Director of Academic Services for the Undergraduate Business Program where she served as a major advisor, guiding William & Mary business majors and minors throughout their academic journey.
Before joining William & Mary in 2008, Susan spent the first half of her career in recruiting and business development, where she honed her skills in connecting talent with opportunities and building professional networks. This experience allows her to advise students not just on their academic choices, but also on career development, job searches, and industry-specific insights.
In this new role, Susan is particularly excited to work with students pursuing careers in the financial industry. She is dedicated to connecting students with alumni and professionals, offering insights into the industry, and providing resources that help students prepare for the next steps in their careers.
With a sign in her office that reads “Fixer of All Things,” Susan continues to embody her role as a problem-solver and student advocate. She strives to create a supportive environment where students can explore their interests, grow their professional networks, and excel in the financial industry!
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
