Breyon Williams, Ph.D.
Chief Economist, Groundwork Collaborative · Washington, D.C.
I'm a PhD economist with over a decade of research experience across the think tank, consulting, and state government spaces. My research interests center around how policy and regulatory environments shape markets and outcomes for consumers, workers, and families. As Chief Economist at Groundwork Collaborative, I use mixed-methods research to build evidence, championing programs and policies that are pro-consumer, pro-worker, and pro-working class. I provide commentary on the U.S. economy and U.S. policies, including the job market, inflation, and trade.
I've published in leading economics journals, including the Journal of Law and Economics and Economics of Education Review, and led major program evaluations for the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor. My commentary on the economy has appeared in outlets including The New York Times and CBS News.
Personal interests + hobbies
A few things really interest me beyond policy and economics. I love a good game of chess. I only started playing a couple of years ago, but I became obsessed with the strategy and now consider myself a pretty strong player. I also love TV and film, especially the chance to take a break from reality and get pulled into a plot. I may be in the minority, but horror is my absolute favorite genre: Scream is nostalgic, Halloween is a bona fide classic, Hellraiser is underappreciated, and the opening scene of 28 Weeks Later is unbeatable. I've also been fascinated by what lies beyond Earth. I love listening to Neil deGrasse Tyson break down astrophysics, and I'm especially keen on multiverse theory, what lies beyond the observable universe, earth-like exoplanets, and black holes. A few other tidbits: my favorite artists include Aaliyah, Cleo Sol, Florence + the Machine, and Otis Redding; I'm at the gym often; and Coca-Cola is my guilty pleasure.
Contact
Email · LinkedIn · Twitter / X · Google Scholar · Substack