Kristy L. Towry

Kristy L. Towry is the John and Lucy Cook Chair and Professor of Accounting at Emory University's Goizueta Business School. She joined the faculty in 2002 after earning her PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, bringing extensive industry experience from roles at Exxon and Compaq. Her research focuses on managerial accounting, internal audit, and behavioral economics, particularly how accounting information informs decision-making through control systems and financial incentives.

• Education: PhD in Accounting (University of Texas at Austin, 2002), MBA in Accounting and Finance (Texas A&M University, 1988), BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science (Northwestern State University of Louisiana, 1982)

Her experimental research integrates economics, psychology, and social sciences to analyze managerial control systems, incentive design, and trust dynamics in collaborative environments. Key themes include contract framing, mutual monitoring, and the impact of noise on strategic learning.

Scientific awards include the prestigious John M. & Lucy Cook Chair. She has contributed to journals such as The Accounting Review, Contemporary Accounting Research, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Her work explores vicarious learning advantages in complex environments and the dual role of mutual monitoring in fostering collusion or competition.