Transformational investment will elevate the Psaros Center’s national and global impact, advancing its position as the preeminent nonpartisan institution at the center of financial markets and policy

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business has received a total investment of $25 million from Michael G. Psaros (B’89), his wife Robin and their family to expand the Center’s position as the preeminent nonpartisan institution at the intersection of financial markets and public policy and deepen its ability to inform policy and practice in the United States and around the world.

“The financial markets touch every aspect of American life. Financial policy, from legislation to regulation, has an outsized influence on our financial markets and our economy,” said Michael G. Psaros, co-founder and managing partner of KPS Capital Partners, LP. “The Psaros Center serves the national interest by helping ensure that financial policy is informed by rigorous research, practical experience and bipartisan dialogue. My family’s gift to the Psaros Center is an act of patriotism, not an act of philanthropy. It is our way of giving back to our country.”

The Psaros Center conducts original research and provides objective, rigorous analysis on major issues facing financial markets. It brings together policymakers, regulators, financial market leaders and academics to examine issues at the intersection of finance and policy, and shares its work broadly with industry professionals, policymakers, students and other stakeholders.

The Center was founded by Reena Aggarwal, the Robert E. McDonough professor of finance and director of the Psaros Center, in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Aggarwal sought to create a global hub at Georgetown to bridge the divide between policymakers and financial-sector leaders through objective, data-driven research and convenings. Psaros provided the seed funding at that time to help bring that vision to life.

The Center is now the preeminent forum for dialogue among leaders shaping financial markets and policy. Its annual Financial Markets Quality Conference and other convenings bring together senior figures from across the financial and policy communities to discuss the most pressing issues facing global markets, most recently including the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the vice chair of the Federal Reserve Board and the CEOs of JPMorganChase and Goldman Sachs.

The Psaros Center’s distinguished fellows – including Rostin Behnam (C’00), former chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission; Dr. Lael Brainard, former director of the White House National Economic Council and vice chair of the Federal Reserve Board; and Patrick McHenry, former member of Congress from North Carolina and chair of the House Financial Services Committee – extend the Center’s reach across government, financial regulation and industry, bringing firsthand expertise to its research and programming. The Psaros Center also connects Georgetown students directly with leaders shaping financial markets and policy through opportunities such as the FinPolicy Trek and other experiential programs.

“Mike Psaros and his family have made an extraordinary investment in the future of the Psaros Center and in Georgetown’s ability to contribute to the most important conversations shaping financial markets and public policy,” said Paul Almeida, dean and William R. Berkley Chair of Georgetown McDonough. “Their commitment gives the Center the resources and reach to bring together leading voices from Wall Street, government and academia, advance rigorous nonpartisan research and extend its influence well beyond Washington, DC. We are deeply grateful for their vision and confidence in what the Psaros Center can accomplish on a national and global stage.”

The investment comes as the financial system undergoes rapid transformation. Artificial intelligence, crypto and digital assets, prediction markets, data and changing market structures are creating new opportunities while raising consequential questions for policymakers, regulators and market participants.

To lead the center through this next phase, Georgetown recently appointed Michael Piwowar (MBA’94) as executive director. Piwowar previously served as executive vice president of Milken Institute Finance leading financial market policy and held senior positions in federal financial regulatory agencies, including serving as acting chairman and commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 2013 to 2018.

“What excites me most about joining the Psaros Center is building on its momentum through engaging students; engaging business leaders; and bringing students, policymakers and market participants together through thought leadership and nonpartisan debate on today’s most pressing issues,” said Piwowar.

The Psaros Center’s expanded capacity will allow it to build on its preeminent position and broaden its reach at a time when financial markets and public policy are increasingly interconnected.

“Georgetown University is honored by the significant investment the Psaros family has made in establishing the Psaros Center as a leading source for vital thought leadership, scholarship and discussion shaping the future of finance and policy,” said Georgetown University President Eduardo M. Peñalver. “This transformative commitment reflects Michael, Robin and the Psaros family’s steadfast dedication to Georgetown University, to the McDonough School of Business and to our students who are the next generation of leaders.”

“We are where Wall Street meets Washington, and I am proud that the Psaros Center is recognized as one of the few truly nonpartisan institutions in Washington respected by both sides of the aisle,” Psaros said. “The Psaros Center is moving the needle in policy and practice in the real world, and elevating Georgetown University’s role in shaping the conversation around finance and public policy.”

About Georgetown University
Established in 1789 by Archbishop John Carroll, Georgetown is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the United States. Located in Washington DC, Doha, Qatar, and around the world, Georgetown University is a leading academic and research institution, offering a unique educational experience that prepares the next generation of global citizens to lead and make a difference in the world. For more information about Georgetown University, visit Georgetown.edu or connect with Georgetown on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

About the Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy
The Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy is the preeminent destination for unbiased expertise at the intersection of finance and policy. The Psaros Center provides thought leadership and actively contributes to shaping global finance. Located in Washington, D.C., we connect policymakers, industry leaders, and scholars through solutions-driven platforms.

Housed at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, the Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy serves as an impartial, academic-based research center. The Psaros Center integrates practice with policy: facilitating a forum for solutions-oriented discussion, conducting relevant and original research on key global market issues, and engaging students interested in the nexus of finance and policy. Collectively, our efforts impact policy and practice by informing current industry professionals, the next generation of finance and policy leaders, and the world, to create meaningful change.

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SOURCE Georgetown University