Michael Sherraden

Michael Sherraden is the George Warren Brown Distinguished University Professor and founding director of the Center for Social Development (CSD) at Washington University in St. Louis' Brown School. With a 45-year career, he has pioneered asset-building policies like Child Development Accounts (CDAs), influencing U.S. and global programs, including AmeriCorps. His work spans social policy, financial capability, and applied social research.

• Education: PhD in Social Work from the University of Michigan.

Sherraden’s research focuses on inclusive asset-building systems, economic equality, and policy innovation. His CDA experiments (e.g., SEED for Oklahoma Kids) and global projects in China, Kazakhstan, Israel, and Africa demonstrate universal applicability. CDAs have shown measurable impacts on family savings, educational outcomes, and social-emotional development in children.

Scientific awards include the Society for Social Work and Research' Distinguished Career Achievement Award, James Billups International Leadership Award, and recognition as a Social Work Pioneer. He has mentored 34 doctoral students and inspired countless others.

Sherraden collaborates with institutions worldwide, including Peking University, Hebrew University, and the Urban Institute. His advocacy for universal CDAs builds on existing 529 college savings plans, aiming to address racial wealth gaps and educational inequity.