Emil N. Siriwardane is the Finnegan Family Associate Professor of Business Administration in the Finance Unit at Harvard Business School. His research focuses on financial intermediation, capital markets, and the relationship between financial sector dynamics and macroeconomic stability. He teaches investment management courses in the MBA program and has made significant contributions to understanding how financial intermediaries influence capital markets and how risk perceptions impact business cycles. Professor Siriwardane earned his PhD in finance from the Stern School of Business at New York University and a BSE in operations research and financial engineering from Princeton University. His academic journey reflects a strong foundation in both quantitative methods and financial theory, positioning him at the intersection of finance and economics. His research spans several key areas in finance, with particular emphasis on financial intermediation , credit risk , private equity , and public pension investments . Through rigorous empirical analysis, he has investigated how concentrated capital losses among financial intermediaries affect corporate credit risk pricing, the connection between volatility and leverage in financial markets, and the role of rare consumption disasters in asset pricing. His work often bridges theoretical finance with real-world market phenomena, particularly relevant in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Professor Siriwardane's publication record shows a consistent focus on market structure, financial intermediation, and macro-finance linkages. His recent work has increasingly examined institutional investment behavior, particularly in private equity markets and public pension funds. His articles in top finance journals demonstrate methodological sophistication while addressing questions of practical importance to both academics and practitioners in the financial industry. Winner of the 2015 AQR Top Finance Graduate Award at Copenhagen Business School Finalist for the 2013 Best Finance Ph.D. Dissertation Award in Honor of Professor Stuart I. Greenbaum 2024 ICPM Research Award Finalist 2018 AQR Insight Award 2016 WFA Best Paper in Asset Pricing Finalist 2014 AQR Insight Award As a faculty member at Harvard Business School, Professor Siriwardane contributes to the academic community through his research, teaching, and service. He has developed influential case studies on topics ranging from pension fund management to pandemic-era trading strategies, enriching the MBA curriculum with real-world financial challenges. His work with the National Bureau of Economic Research as a Faculty Research Fellow further extends his impact on the field of economics and finance.










