Dr. Nayantara Hensel has focused over the past two decades on defense industrial base issues, the role of critical materials on supply chains, national security budgeting, and the impact of economic forces and regulatory initiatives across a variety of industries (energy, housing, etc.). She is the Chief Economist for Seaborne Defense and is a member of the Secretary of the Air Force’s Advisory Group.
As the Chief Economist for the Department of the Navy, she played a significant role in issues regarding the defense industrial base issues, the budget, and acquisition policy. As Professor of Industry and Business at the National Defense University’s (NDU) Eisenhower School, she led the development of the defense resourcing program and was awarded the Department of Defense Joint Civilian Service Commendation Medal. She has also taught at the Naval Postgraduate School, Harvard University, and the Stern School of Business at New York University.
She focused on the impact of economic forces on financial stability across industries and developed regulations in her role as Chief Economist of Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and Director of the Office of Economic and Risk Analysis. During her six years at the Federal Housing Financial Agency (FHFA), she led teams in analyzing changes in the housing market and regulatory initiatives. Dr. Hensel authored The Defense Industrial Base: Strategies for a Changing World and has written over 25 articles in peer-reviewed journals and books. She has appeared on CNBC, PBS, Fox Business TV, Voice of America, and others, and has conducted radio interviews on ABC, CBS, NPR, Wall Street Journal Radio, and Bloomberg Radio.
EDUCATION
Harvard University, Ph.D., Business Economics
Harvard University, M.A., Business Economics
Harvard University, B.A., Economics, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa