Q&A on the Economy on THE HUB STAGE

Mike Fratantoni, Ph.D.

Chief Economist, Senior Vice President, Research and Business Development, Mortgage Bankers Association

Mike Fratantoni, Ph.D. is MBA’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research and Industry Technology. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing MBA’s industry surveys, benchmarking studies, economic and mortgage originations forecasts, industry technology efforts and policy development research for both single-family and commercial/multifamily markets. Additionally, Fratantoni is president and member of the Board of Directors of MISMO and serves on the CSP’s Industry Advisory Group and the membership committee of MERS. Prior to joining MBA, Fratantoni worked in the industry in risk management and senior economist roles at Washington Mutual and Fannie Mae.

Gary Cohn

Vice Chairman, IBM; Director, White House National Economic Council (2017-2018); President & COO, Goldman Sachs (2006-2016)

Gary D. Cohn, a business leader, investor, and the former director of the U.S. National Economic Council, is an internationally recognized expert on the financial markets, global economy and economic policy. He is the Vice Chairman of IBM, working in partnership with IBM’s Executive Leadership Team. Mr. Cohn served as Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council from 2017-2018, where he managed the administration’s economic policy agenda and led the successful effort to grow the U.S. economy, create jobs and increase wages through tax and regulatory reform. Before serving in the White House, Cohn was President and Chief Operating Officer of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. from 2006-2016, after holding several other leadership roles with the company since 1990. Cohn began his career at U.S. Steel before moving to New York to trade on the New York Commodities Exchange from 1982-1990. He is Lead Independent Director of the Apollo Board of Directors, Chairman of Pallas Advisors, Vice Chair of Zinnia, and serves on many other private corporate boards. Additionally, he is a member of the Systemic Resolution Advisory Committee of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Mr. Cohn has long been dedicated to advancing healthcare and education and serves on several related boards. After growing up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Mr. Cohn received his undergraduate degree from American University in 1982 and moved to New York City.