Peterson Foundation Economic Forum | Peter G. Peterson Foundation
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The Peter G. Peterson Foundation Economic Forum brings together thought leaders shaping the future of our nation for in-depth conversations on America’s most pressing issues. The Forum provides a substantive, non-partisan platform for discussions that inform and enhance public understanding of key fiscal and economic policy topics, illuminating solutions to help build a brighter future for the next generation.
Past Events
Restoring Our Economy Post-Pandemic — Session I
A Conversation With CBO Director Phillip Swagel
Phillip Swagel, Director, Congressional Budget Office
The Peter G. Peterson Foundation Economic Forum’s series Restoring Our Economy Post-Pandemic launched with Foundation CEO Michael Peterson in a conversation with Swagel about CBO’s approach in assessing a complex fiscal and economic landscape, including the organization’s analysis of the CARES Act and other legislative responses to the crisis.
Restoring Our Economy Post-Pandemic — Session II
The U.S. Healthcare System: Preparedness, Response and Future Trends
Michelle A. Williams, Dean of the Faculty, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Harvey V. Fineberg, President, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
COVID-19 is a pandemic that has exposed a range of shortcomings that exist in the U.S. healthcare sector, from a lack of preparedness, to limited supplies, to inequities in impact and access. At the same time, as we have confronted and adjusted to the situation, certain opportunities to improve the performance of our healthcare system have been revealed.
The second session in the Peter G. Peterson Foundation Economic Forum’s series Restoring Our Economy Post-Pandemic explored the U.S. healthcare system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and what we have learned from this crisis to help us improve delivery in the future. Where did we lack preparedness? What are the structural and systemic failures that create disparities and health inequities among different groups of Americans? Can learnings from our response help better prepare our nation for the next pandemic, and also have lasting benefits?
Restoring Our Economy Post-Pandemic — Session III
The U.S. Economy, Policy Options and the 2020 Election
Lanhee J. Chen, David and Diane Steffy Fellow in American Public Policy Studies, Hoover Institution
Austan D. Goolsbee, Robert P. Gwinn Professor of Economics, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
The third session in the Peter G. Peterson Foundation Economic Forum’s series Restoring Our Economy Post-Pandemic Pandemic analyzed the unprecedented effects that this crisis has had on our economy, against the backdrop of the 2020 election. As policymakers and candidates debate proposals to help the nation recover from a severe health and economic crisis, this bipartisan conversation assessed how Washington has handled the crisis thus far – and what more needs to be done to address our mounting fiscal and economic challenges. What are the key indicators and milestones that reveal not only the extent of the damage, but also where the recovery is taking hold? What policy proposals are being put forward by the campaigns to address the still uncertain landscape?
America's Fiscal and Economic Outlook: Where Do We Go From Here? — Session I
William Gale Arjay and Frances Fearing Miller Chair in Federal Economic Policy, Brookings Institution and co-director, Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center
Sita Slavov Professor of Public Policy, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University
With our economy in recovery, our debt rising unsustainably, and our nation still grappling with a devastating pandemic, America faces many critical questions for its future. Where do we go from here? To help illuminate and improve the understanding of this critical moment, the Peterson Foundation has convened twelve leading experts with diverse views from across the political spectrum to share their views on the answer to this fundamental question. As we launched this new resource, two of the initiative’s authors joined us to share their creative and thoughtful solutions to help guide citizens and policymakers through this uniquely challenging time.
America's Fiscal and Economic Outlook: Where Do We Go From Here? — Session II
James Poterba President and CEO, National Bureau of Economic Research
Diane Swonk Chief Economist, Grant Thornton
The Peterson Foundation’s latest initiative, “America’s Fiscal and Economic Outlook: Where Do We Go from Here?” convened twelve leading experts with diverse views from across the political spectrum to share their perspectives on the opportunities, challenges, and way forward for America’s economic and fiscal future. As we began a new year, two of the initiative’s authors — James Poterba (National Bureau of Economic Research) and Diane Swonk (Grant Thornton) — discussed the state of the economic recovery and how we can create a sustainable fiscal outlook that puts America on a path to economic growth and shared prosperity.
Upcoming Events
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James Poterba
President and CEO National Bureau of Economic Research
James Poterba is the Mitsui Professor of Economics at MIT and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau of Economic Research, a non-profit research organization with more than 1600 affiliated economists. He has served as President of the Eastern Economic Association and the National Tax Association, and as vice president of the American Economic Association. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Finance Association, the British Academy, and the Econometric Society.
Dr. Poterba's research focuses on how taxation affects the economic decisions of households and firms, particularly those involving saving and portfolio behavior. He is a trustee of the College Retirement Equity Fund (CREF) and the TIAA-CREF mutual funds. He holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard College and a D. Phil. in Economics from Oxford University, where he was a Marshall Scholar.
Diane Swonk
Chief Economist Grant Thornton
Diane Swonk is one of the most respected macroeconomists, who maintains a unique perspective on the inner workings of Main Street as well as Wall Street. She is an expert on the economics of the labor market, monetary policy and structural changes that are distinct from economic cycles. Her global network includes economists, industry leaders and geopolitical experts, which amplifies the breadth and reach of her analysis. She advises policy makers at all levels of government, including central bankers. Diane’s uniquely accessible approach to macroeconomic shifts has made her a highly sought-after expert quoted by local, national and international newspapers and broadcasters. For her outstanding contributions in the field of economics, Diane has been named a Fellow of the National Association for Business Economics (NABE). She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, serves on the Sitting Committee to the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago and advises the economics department at the University of Michigan. She has testified before Congress to improve the quality of economic data and on the causes and consequences of income inequalities. Diane has won many awards for excellence in forecasting and leadership in economics and the business community. She is deeply involved in nonprofit organizations focused on expanding access to education and increasing the quality and diversity of our country’s leadership. She earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees in economics with top honors from the University of Michigan. She received an MBA in finance from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, also with top honors.
Michael A. Peterson
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation
Michael A. Peterson is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, a non-partisan organization dedicated to addressing America’s fiscal challenges and building a stronger economic future. The Foundation engages in grant-making, partnerships and research to educate citizens and foster solutions to put America on a sustainable fiscal path. Michael sets the Foundation’s policy direction and strategy, shaping its major programs and initiatives.
Michael combines his dedication to public service with extensive private sector experience as an entrepreneur, operator and investor. In 2007, he co-founded Evolve IP, an award-winning telecommunications company named as one of America’s 50 best places to work (Inc. Magazine), best entrepreneurial companies (Entrepreneur Magazine) and fastest growing technology companies (Deloitte Fast 500). Michael also co-founded GPX Enterprises, L.P., which makes direct investments in operating businesses and real estate. Previously, he held a number of corporate finance positions, leading and executing transactions totaling several billion dollars. Michael also currently serves as the CEO of Peterson Management, LLC, which manages the Peterson family investments.
Michael is Chair of the Board of Directors of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, and serves on the boards of the Nuclear Threat Initiative and the Partnership for New York City. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Economic Club of New York, and Business Executives for National Security. He has received the Corporate Community Achievement Award from the Northside Center for Child Development and the Visionary Award from the Committee for Economic Education. Additionally, he has established his own foundation, which focuses on a variety of philanthropic areas.
Michael graduated Magna Cum Laude and with Honors from Brown University, where he was awarded the Taubman Prize for his thesis. He received his Master's degree from the London School of Economics. Michael lives in New York with his wife, Tara Peters, and their two children.