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Federal Reserve Bank president champions ‘economy that works for all’ in campus visit

persons pose in nature
College of Business and Economics Dean Mark Bannister, San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Mary Daly, Vice President of Finance and Operations Alicia Estey and Provost John Buckwalter. Photo by Priscilla Grover

On Oct. 9, San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Mary Daly visited Boise State’s campus, her second visit following one in 2019. Daly is president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. In 2024, she is a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee, the monetary policymaking body of the Federal Reserve System. Daly assumed leadership of the San Francisco Fed in 2018, building on a distinguished career as a labor economist, policy advisor, and leader.

Following a welcome lunch with campus leaders, Daly visited classrooms in the College of Business and Economics, answering student questions and providing advice for how they can prepare themselves for successful careers after graduation.

Student in a classroom
San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Mary Daly visited with College of Business and Economics students, sharing advice for how they can prepare for successful careers.

“It was an honor to once again host Mary Daly at the College of Business and Economics. She has a remarkable knack for connecting with students and we appreciate her being gracious with her time and answering their questions during her class visits,” said Mark Bannister, dean of the College of Business and Economics. “It is an amazing opportunity for our students to have access to such a respected economic figure. Her key messages encouraging students to invest in themselves and to stay curious, confident and humble is very powerful and meaningful.”

A reception in the Special Events Center was followed by a question and answer session attended by students, faculty and members of the general public. The event was moderated by Idaho television personality Carolyn Holly and was live-streamed by the Federal Reserve. A recording of the conversation is available online.

Skip Oppenheimer – chairman and CEO of Oppenheimer Companies, Inc., president of Oppenheimer Development Corporation and a member of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco – celebrated Daly in his introductory remarks for her wholistic approach to economic policy and for her leadership.

“She has dedicated her career to how the economy impacts people from all walks of life and always emphasizes the importance of listening to and learning from the people affected by economic policies,” he said. “Mary is truly one of the best and most effective leaders I have ever worked with.”

Daly’s conversation covered topics such as inflation, interest rates and housing. Of particular interest to Idaho, she discussed how the impact of wildfires and other disasters can affect area businesses and what opportunities there are to understand the dynamics of rural economies. She often emphasized that the Federal Reserve works to consider all areas of the nation in economic policy, not just large urban areas. All of this, she said, is working toward the goal of a sustainable economy with “durable expansion.”

“That means the economy has low inflation, price stability and full employment,” she said. “An economy like that sits in the background of people’s minds. In the foreground is building their career, raising their families and contributing to their communities. And that is an economy that works for all.”