Ellen Hughes-Cromwick, the former chief economist at Ford Motor Co., has joined the faculty of the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, where she will teach graduate-level courses in economics and contribute to the school’s research initiatives.
“With her extensive industry experience and deep understanding of global economics, she will be able to help our students understand what it takes to compete in today’s economy,” says Wallace Hopp, senior associate dean for faculty and research at the Ross School.
Hughes-Cromwick retired from her position at Ford in October after nearly 20 years with the automaker. While there, she advised Ford’s senior management team on global economic, financial, and strategic issues.
“Her comprehensive knowledge of the global economic environment and her ability to translate that knowledge into an expected impact on our business led to many important business decisions at Ford,” says Bob Shanks, Ford’s CFO. “Her legacy in economics will continue through this new role, and the students at the Ross School are lucky to have her.”
During the next phase of her career, Hughes-Cromwick will focus her teaching, research, speaking, and media commentary on issues including global economy, fiscal and monetary policy developments, and long-run challenges and opportunities that could affect the pace of economic growth and inflation.
Hughes-Cromwick is on the board of directors of the National Bureau of Economic Research, and served for one term as president of the National Association for Business Economics in 2007-2008.
On Saturday, she will participate in a panel discussion on the outlook for the U.S. and global economy at the annual convention of the Allied Social Science Associations in Boston.
