Patrick T. Harker Keynote Speaker

Dr. Patrick T. Harker is a distinguished economist, academic leader and public policy authority whose career spans the highest levels of finance, government and higher education. He currently serves as the Rowan Distinguished Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and as Director of Academic Engagement for Penn Washington, helping connect leading academic research with national policy conversations.

From 2015 to 2025, Dr. Harker served as the 11th President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and as a member of the Federal Open Market Committee. During a pivotal decade for the U.S. and global economy, he contributed to monetary policy decisions shaping inflation management, interest rate strategy and financial stability, bringing clarity and analytical rigour to complex economic challenges.

Previously, as President of the University of Delaware (2007–2015), he led a significant institutional transformation that expanded interdisciplinary research, strengthened public-private partnerships and advanced innovation across the university. Earlier, as Dean of the Wharton School (1999–2007), he enhanced global engagement, launched research centres, expanded executive education and invested in technology-driven learning, reinforcing Wharton’s position as a world-leading business school.

A recognised authority in management science, financial services and economic policy, Dr. Harker has authored or co-authored more than 100 scholarly articles. His research focuses on how financial institutions leverage data and modelling to improve efficiency, manage risk and better serve customers. He has also served on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards across healthcare, energy, technology and education, contributing expertise in governance, audit and strategic oversight.

Early in his career, Dr. Harker was a White House Fellow and Special Assistant to the Director of the FBI, gaining insight into the intersection of public policy, national security and institutional leadership. He holds a B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Engineering, as well as a Master of Arts in Economics, all from the University of Pennsylvania.