Dean Naomi Boyd is taking on a new position that will guide the Daniels College of Business in its drive to become the most market-connected business school in the country: a position at Robinhood Markets, Inc. as the company’s chief economic advisor.
Drawing from her deep academic research and regulatory experience across derivatives market structure, capital markets and investment dynamics, Dean Boyd will focus on advancing research and analysis to enhance understanding as the industry continues to evolve. She will maintain her position as the dean of Daniels, leading the College forward in the execution of its strategic framework, Elevate 2035.
“Having spent my career at the intersection of industry, government and academia, I’m excited to engage in applied research that will help translate market complexities into clear, actionable insights for Robinhood, policymakers and market participants,” Dean Boyd said. “This work will allow a better understanding of market dynamics, support innovation and strengthen trust and transparency across capital markets.”
Prior to joining the University of Denver, Dean Boyd spent eight years at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a financial analyst and consultant to the Office of the Chief Economist, conducting research on market manipulation, structural shifts in the market, and the role of speculation in liquid and illiquid asset classes.
Her return to industry demonstrates the Daniels commitment to market connectivity, putting its dean in the room with some of the business world’s brightest minds. And engagement with companies like Robinhood is a central pillar of the way Daniels is reimagining the business school experience. The College is bringing the real world to the classroom, collaborating with industry to co-create a market-relevant curriculum, professional prospects and opportunities for knowledge exchange.
“When your dean has a seat at the table with one of the most influential financial platforms in the country, that’s not a distraction from the mission. That’s the mission. Daniels has committed to being the most market-connected business school in the country, and Dr. Boyd is proving that’s not just a tagline,” said Nick Machol, CEO of Unburdn AI and chair of the Daniels Executive Advisory Board. “The insights, relationships and real-world relevance she brings back from Robinhood will show up in classrooms, in career pathways, and in the caliber of opportunities available to Daniels students. As both chair of the Daniels Executive Advisory Board and CEO of Unburdn AI, I see firsthand how critical it is for academic leaders to be embedded in the industries they serve. This is exactly the kind of leadership that sets Daniels apart.”
In academia, Dean Boyd has led extensive research efforts, developed university economics programming and served in various leadership positions. She is an accomplished scholar, with a PhD in finance from George Washington University, an MBA from Texas Tech University’s Rawls College of Business and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
In joining Robinhood, Dean Boyd will have an opportunity to share knowledge and drive value for the company and Daniels alike.
“One of our values at Robinhood is first-principles thinking—using data, empirical evidence, and experimentation to guide decisions and deliver products aligned with our mission,” said Dan Gallagher, the company’s chief legal, compliance and corporate affairs officer. “Under Dr. Boyd’s leadership, we will further elevate Robinhood’s impact through rigorous research, data analysis and thought leadership that advances innovation and customer access as our capital markets continue to evolve.”