In the fall semester, three undergraduate and 16 graduate students from Indiana University Bloomington’s Economics Department embarked on a trip to Washington, D.C., to connect with accomplished alumni and influential figures in economic policy. The initiative was coordinated by Ike Brannon (Ph.D. ’93), an alumnus and head of Capital Policy Analytics, who leveraged his professional network to arrange multiple engagements for the group.
Brannon emphasized the goal of showing students how academic training in economics can lead to meaningful roles in public service. He described the visit as a bridge between current learners and those shaping economic decisions at state and national levels.
The itinerary began with a lunch meeting featuring chief economists from major trade organizations, including Josh Hurwitz from the International Bridge, Tunnel, and Turnpike Association, Chad Moutray of the National Restaurant Association, and Curtis Dubay from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. These professionals discussed how analytical reasoning and data interpretation support their advisory roles for policymakers and industry stakeholders.
Later that evening, David Penna (B.A. ’97) hosted an event at Davis Polk, bringing together IU alumni employed across law, consulting, and federal institutions such as the Congressional Budget Office and the Federal Trade Commission. Attendees ranged from recent graduates to seasoned experts, offering students diverse perspectives on career development within economics. The gathering highlighted the strength of the university’s alumni community and its dedication to mentoring emerging professionals.
Guilherme Pinto, a sixth-year Ph.D. candidate preparing for the job market, reflected on the value of learning from those who had overcome similar challenges. He noted that understanding past struggles made current uncertainties more manageable and found inspiration in meeting individuals who built impactful careers.
Undergraduate Lucy Devenney shared her appreciation for the guidance received, calling the experience invaluable for students early in their academic journey. She found encouragement and practical advice from alumni particularly beneficial.
The following day, discussions with senior fellows at the Hudson Institute, including Michael Solon and Thomas Duesterberg (Ph.D. ’79), explored how historical economic policies inform present-day debates. Duesterberg, who previously led the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation, also contributed to student support through a fund established in honor of his brother Daniel, a former IU Economics Ph.D. graduate.
Before departing, Brannon arranged a luncheon with government economists such as Joey Kouri, Chief Economist for the House Financial Services Committee; Dan Kowalski from the Office of Management and Budget; and Kurt Schuler of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Christopher Waller, a Federal Reserve Board member and former IU faculty member (1985–1998), also participated. They explained how economic strategies are implemented in practice and offered insights for students considering careers influencing fiscal and monetary frameworks.
Costas Lambros, a fifth-year doctoral student, noted that while academic paths are commonly emphasized during Ph.D. programs, this opportunity provided rare exposure to impactful roles in government and private industry. He found learning about daily responsibilities and expanding his professional network especially useful as he seeks positions in the capital.
The visit underscored the Economics Department’s mission to link rigorous scholarship with tangible societal contributions. Through interactions with professionals in policy, government, and business, students observed how classroom-developed analytical tools apply to real-world decision-making. The experience reflected core values of intellectual inquiry, civic engagement, and career advancement central to the department’s educational philosophy.
Volodymyr Lugovskyy, Professor and Chair of the Economics Department, expressed gratitude to contributors like Brannon, Stephen Lewarne, and Thomas Duesterberg, whose involvement helped make the experience possible. He emphasized that IU fosters a lasting commitment to discovery, service, and influence among its students.
— News Original —
IU Economics students travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with distinguished alumni, policy experts
During the Fall semester three undergraduate and 16 graduate students from the Economics department within the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University Bloomington traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with distinguished alumni and policy experts shaping today’s economic landscape. Ike Brannon (Ph.D. ’93), an IU Economics graduate and president of the consulting firm Capital Policy Analytics, drew on his extensive network to coordinate multiple events for the students.
“We wanted students to see firsthand how their research and training in economics can translate into impactful careers in service,” Brannon said. “This trip is about connecting the next generation of IU economists to the people shaping policy for the state and the nation.”
The visit began with the students having lunch with chief economists from trade associations, including Josh Hurwitz of the International Bridge, Tunnel, and Turnpike Association; Chad Moutray of the National Restaurant Association; and Curtis Dubay of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The economists answered questions about how they use their training in data analysis and critical thinking to inform policymakers and serve their members.
That evening continued with an event hosted by David Penna (B.A. ’97) at Davis Polk, where the students met department alumni working across diverse sectors, including law, consulting, and government agencies such as the Congressional Budget Office and the Federal Trade Commission. The event brought together IU alumni at different stages of their careers—from recent graduates to senior professionals—offering students a chance to hear how their paths in economics have evolved. The conversations showcased the strength of IU’s alumni network and the shared commitment to mentoring and supporting future generations of economists.
“I think the job market year is especially hard now, but I know without information and without knowing that people before us had to pass through challenges like this and succeed, it would even harder,” said Guilherme Pinto, a sixth-year Ph.D. student and a job market candidate. “We are standing on the shoulders of giants. I felt very glad to meet with good people that managed to have a meaningful career. It is inspiring for me.”
Lucy Devenney, an undergraduate student in Economics, offered her perspective: “This trip was such an amazing experience! As an undergrad, I thought it was incredibly helpful to receive words of encouragement and advice from IU alumni and other economists working in D.C.”
The following day, students discussed the relevance of historical economic policy to contemporary national debates with two senior fellows at the Hudson Institute, Michael Solon and IU alumnus Thomas Duesterberg (Ph.D. ’79). Duesterberg, a History department graduate who previously led the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation, helped to support IU economics students by establishing a fund in memory of his late brother, Daniel Duesterberg, who was an IU Economics Ph.D. alumnus.
Before leaving D.C., Brannon organized a lunch with economists working in the government, including Joey Kouri, Chief Economist for the House Financial Services Committee; Dan Kowalski, Director at the Office of Management and Budget; and Kurt Schuler, an economist at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Christopher Waller, a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and a former IU Economics Department faculty member (1985–1998), also joined the event. Together, they discussed how economic policy is implemented in practice and offered advice to students interested in pursuing careers that influence fiscal and monetary policy.
“During a Ph.D. we are most often exposed to careers in academia, but this was a rare opportunity to explore exciting options available to us in the government and private sector,” said Costas Lambros, a fifth-year Ph.D. student. “Gaining a better understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities of different roles and having the opportunity to network has been especially helpful as I look for jobs in D.C.”
The visit to Washington, D.C. embodied the IU Department of Economics’ commitment to connecting rigorous academic training with real-world impact. Through conversations with alumni working in government, policy, and industry, students saw how the analytical and empirical tools developed in their coursework translate into meaningful contributions to public and private decision-making. The trip reflected the department’s emphasis on intellectual curiosity, public service, and professional growth—values that guide its teaching, research, and engagement with the broader IU community.
“Our students’ time at IU helps to instill within them a lifelong commitment to service, discovery, and impact,” said Volodymyr Lugovskyy, Professor and Chair of the Economics department. “We’re grateful to alumni like Ike Brannon, Stephen Lewarne, and Tom Duesterberg, and the other experts with whom our students met, whose generosity and involvement make these experiences possible.”