Professor Julie Agnew to step down as Executive Director of the Boehly Center
William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business would like to announce that Professor Julie Agnew will step down from her role as Executive Co-Director of the Boehly Center for Excellence in Finance at the end of the academic year. She will then embark on a long-awaited sabbatical, which she had initially planned for last year but delayed to prepare the Center for its leadership transition.
“The Boehly Center’s mission to help students explore their interests, enhance their career readiness, and strengthen our finance alumni networks is incredibly important. Thanks to the Boehlys' vision and generosity, the dedication of our committed alumni, and the leadership of our exceptional Boehly Center board, students today have access to unparalleled opportunities. I have had the privilege of witnessing the Center's impact firsthand and wanted to ensure the right team was in place before my departure,” Agnew said.
During her sabbatical, Agnew will spend some of the year in Australia working on several research projects with her co-authors, focusing on behavioral finance, pensions and student loans, and superannuation—the Australian equivalent of a 401(k). She will return to the Mason School following her sabbatical to continue her research and teaching.
Agnew has been a key figure in shaping the Boehly Center, first serving as its inaugural faculty director from 2014 to 2016 and returning as Executive Director in 2023. Under her leadership, the Center has expanded its student clubs and programs, offering finance students experiential learning opportunities, mentorship initiatives, and career development resources. Her efforts have solidified the Center’s reputation as a leading institution for finance education and professional development. In fact, for the past two years, William & Mary was recognized by the Wall Street Journal as one of the top five public universities for “high-paying careers in finance.”
Dean Todd Mooradian acknowledged the indelible mark Agnew has left on the Boehly Center stating, “Julie Agnew is an amazing professor and an amazing person, and her commitment, creative ideas, and indefatigable energy have transformed our finance programs and the lives of innumerable students, especially through her impact growing the Boehly Center for Finance Excellence. Most importantly, Julie personifies the values we espouse and aspire to live by: she is an impactful, well-respected researcher; she is a committed citizen in the business school—a true institution builder; and she is committed to our students, their growth, and their success. Best of all, Julie Agnew always leads with a genuine smile. We are so much better—and our work is so much better—because of Julie.”
During her first tenure, Agnew contributed to several major initiatives, including launching William & Mary’s first finance-focused summer study abroad program in Singapore, co-creating the Women’s Stock Pitch & Leadership Summit, and expanding signature events like From DoG Street to Wall Street.
In her second tenure, with the Boehly Center Board and Anthony Ball from the Mason School’s Advancement office as integral partners, she helped launch new initiatives such as the Boehly Center Boat Cruise in the NYC harbor, the Charlotte Trek—designed to give freshman and sophomore students exposure to employers in this financial hub—and expanded the special topics courses portfolio. She also played a significant role in developing the Center’s mentorship programs, facilitating connections between students and experienced industry professionals to enhance their career prospects.
In addition to her leadership at the Boehly Center, Agnew is a distinguished scholar in the field of behavioral finance. She holds the Richard C. Kraemer Term Professorship in Business at the Mason School and has served as a Dean’s Research Fellow.
Her focus is on personal investing, retirement planning, and financial decision-making, with her work having been published in top-tier journals such as the American Economic Review, Management Science, and Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis.
She also is a TIAA-CREF Institute Fellow, an Advisory Board Member for the Wharton School’s Pension Research Council, and a Research Associate for the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.
Before joining academia, Agnew worked in investment banking at Salomon Brothers in New York City and as an equity research associate for Vector Securities International in Chicago. She was also a Fulbright Scholar in Singapore, where she co-authored a book examining business strategies in Southeast Asia.
Agnew earned her Ph.D. in Finance from Boston College and her B.A. in Economics with High Honors from William & Mary, where she graduated magna cum laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.
Reflecting on her time as a member of the Mason School’s leadership team, Agnew remarked, “One of the most rewarding aspects of my time at William & Mary has been working with the Boehly Center and its students. Supporting students in their professional development and career exploration has been incredibly fulfilling. I am deeply grateful to the Boehlys for this opportunity and to the alumni and Boehly Center Board members who have generously dedicated their time to advancing the Center’s initiatives. I look forward to continuing my work here in a research and teaching capacity.”
Brett Hammond, who has been serving as co-executive director this semester, will assume the role of Executive Director following Agnew’s departure. Hammond brings extensive experience in finance and education and has been working closely with Agnew to ensure a smooth transition.
“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Brett Hammond to the Mason School as a Visiting Professor and the Executive Director of the Boehly Center. Brett’s distinguished research, extensive experience as a finance practitioner, and remarkable ability to inspire our students are already making a significant impact,” said Mooradian. “While we will undoubtedly miss Julie during her sabbatical, we are confident that Brett will continue to advance the Center with distinction and dedication.”
Although stepping down from the Executive Director role, Agnew will continue to be involved with the Boehly Center, participating in events and maintaining connections with students and alumni. The school encourages those who wish to extend their appreciation to Agnew for all of her contributions to the Mason School by contacting alumnirelations@mason.wm.edu.
