Steven Kelly (BBA ’17) is a go-to expert on financial stability, devoting his career to understanding why financial crises occur and how to prevent similar situations in the future.
It’s a unique area of expertise shaped by his experiences at UW–Madison and the Wisconsin School of Business. After getting into WSB, Steven took a political science class to fulfill a requirement—which ultimately led to a double major after seeing the immediate connection to finance. “I realized if you could understand the mechanics of political institutions and the policy-making process, combined with financial mechanics, you could do a lot of good.”
After beginning his career in the private sector, Steven soon joined the Yale School of Management’s Program on Financial Stability. His research work there quickly went from academic to applied, as two national financial crises materialized in quick succession, offering real-time opportunities to translate research into action, advise policymakers, and offer solutions.
His in-demand expertise brought him to the FDIC in 2025, where he now serves as a key advisor to the agency’s chairman, providing research-backed insights on managing stability in an increasingly complex global market.
Steven likes to call his area of financial expertise “niche,” but it’s led to fulfilling jobs, consulting work, an adjunct teaching position, and a forthcoming book. So, when advising students seeking career advice, he encourages them to truly explore their unique interests. “At some point, your niche is going to be extremely relevant,” he says. “When that happens, everyone will need an expert, and you’re going to be that person.”