Benjamin E. Hermalin

Benjamin E. Hermalin is the Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds dual appointments as the Thomas & Alison Schneider Distinguished Professor of Finance at the Haas School of Business and as a Distinguished Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics. His academic career at Berkeley spans over three decades since joining as an assistant professor in 1988 after completing his PhD at MIT.

Professor Hermalin's research focuses on corporate governance, leadership, the economics of organization, industrial organization, contract theory, and law and economics. His work bridges theoretical economic models with practical applications in business and policy. He has developed influential frameworks for understanding board composition, executive compensation, organizational leadership, and two-sided markets.

Hermalin's publications reveal a consistent focus on governance structures and organizational design. His research explores how formal and informal institutions shape economic outcomes, with particular attention to the interplay between leadership, incentives, and organizational culture. His work on two-sided markets has provided foundational insights for understanding platform economics and network effects.

• Schwabacher Award for outstanding teaching and research (1993)
• Earl F. Cheit Outstanding Teaching Award (1991)

Throughout his career, Hermalin has held significant administrative positions including Economics Department Chair (2005-2008), Chair of the Academic Senate (2015-2016), and Vice Provost for the Faculty (2016-2022). He has served on the Board of Directors of the National Bureau of Economic Research and was co-editor of the RAND Journal of Economics.