The University of Delaware’s Institute for Financial Services Analytics (IFSA),an interdisciplinary center focused on advancing data-driven research and education in financial services, recently convened its inaugural advisory board. The meeting brought together academic and industry leaders to help guide the institute’s strategic direction and strengthen collaboration between academia and industry.
IFSA is a joint program between UD’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics and the College of Engineering. The meeting marks an important milestone in IFSA’s growth, reinforcing its mission to advance interdisciplinary research, education and partnership in financial services analytics while expanding opportunities for students in a rapidly evolving field.
In his opening remarks, Oliver Yao, dean of the Lerner College, described the meeting as a significant moment for both IFSA and the Lerner College. Yao emphasized that IFSA aligns closely with the college’s strategic priorities in distinguished learning, pioneering scholarship and industry engagement. He also highlighted the institute’s position at the intersection of business and technology, noting that its interdisciplinary doctoral program integrates rigorous academic research with real-world application and prepares students with market-ready skills.
Throughout the meeting, participants emphasized the importance of strengthening connections between universities and industry. Advisory board members shared perspectives from across banking, risk, forecasting, fraud, portfolio modeling and AI-enabled transformation, reflecting the breadth of expertise supporting IFSA’s mission. They noted that innovation in financial services requires both theoretical rigor and the ability to address real-world challenges.
A highlight of the meeting was the appointment of Morgan Dean of JPMorgan Chase as chair of the inaugural IFSA advisory board. In introducing her, Bintong Chen, director of IFSA, noted that the chair must understand both industry and academia while building meaningful connections between the two. Chen cited Dean’s leadership at JPMorgan Chase, the firm’s foundational support in establishing the doctoral program and her longstanding commitment to IFSA and its students as key factors in her selection.
Dean, a UD alumna and head of CCB Risk Modeling at JPMorgan Chase, shared her enthusiasm for the institute’s mission. She described IFSA as the type of program needed in today’s environment—one that takes an interdisciplinary approach, prioritizes research and focuses on solving real-world problems. She also pointed to the strong performance of IFSA graduates and expressed excitement about contributing in her new role as chair.
The inaugural advisory board brings together leaders from academia, research and industry whose expertise spans artificial intelligence, financial services, risk, forecasting, product management and institutional partnership. During the meeting, members introduced themselves and highlighted the interdisciplinary perspectives they bring to support IFSA’s continued growth.
Inaugural advisory board members
- Gonzalo Arce — Charles Black Evans Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Bintong Chen — Director of IFSA and Chaplin Tyler Professor of Operations Management
- Morgan Dean — Head of CCB Risk Modeling at JPMorgan Chase & Co. and advisory board chair
- Xiao Fang — Professor of Management Information Systems and IFSA senior fellow
- Jennifer Golek — Head of Finance Product and Data Solutions at Capital One
- Paul Laux — Professor of Finance and IFSA senior fellow
- Juan Licari — Managing director at Bank of America
- Danielle Manley — Treasurer of Barclays US Consumer Bank and UD alumna
- Tracy Shickel — Associate vice president for corporate engagement at UD
- Mark Warren — Managing director at Citi
- Fengqin Zhao — Head of CCB Credit Risk and International Consumer Bank Risk at JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Following the meeting, UD President Laura Carlson and Brian Farkas, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, joined a reception with advisory board members. Their presence underscored the University’s support for IFSA and provided an opportunity for continued dialogue and relationship building.
The inaugural meeting set the foundation for a collaborative future. With the support of its advisory board, IFSA is positioned to deepen industry connections, expand student opportunities and continue building a nationally distinctive model for financial services analytics education and research.