Meet Kogod’s New Finance Faculty

This fall, the Kogod School of Business strengthened its Department of Finance by welcoming two new faculty members—both of whom bring valuable experience in financial research, corporate strategy, and public policy.

Among them are a Washington policy veteran with a decade of federal regulatory experience and an award-winning scholar exploring the intersection of corporate finance and monetary policy. Together, they reinforce Kogod’s distinctive position as a business school uniquely situated in the nation’s capital, where finance and public policy converge daily.

Yan Lau Brings Financial Regulatory Expertise from DC to the Classroom

Yan Lau joins Kogod this fall as a professional lecturer of finance and real estate. A DC insider, Lau brings nearly ten years of experience in financial regulation and consumer protection.

Before arriving at Kogod, Lau spent three years at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Office of Research, focusing on fair credit access and consumer financial products. Previously, he served five years at the Federal Trade Commission as deputy assistant director in the Bureau of Economics’ Division of Consumer Protection.

An applied microeconomist by training, Lau relies on data-driven insights to inform policy and classroom discussions alike. His analytical work at federal agencies supported enforcement actions across multiple administrations, and now he’s eager to help students connect theoretical finance concepts with real-world consumer issues.

“Now I’m returning to my teaching roots,” Lau said. “It’s great to be back in the classroom, just seeing students.”

At Kogod, Lau emphasizes an approachable, discussion-based teaching style. He hopes his background in regulation and data analysis will inspire students to think critically about how finance impacts everyday life—and how policy decisions affect markets and consumers.

“You go down the street, and these are the decision-makers for the country—and not just the country, for the world,” Lau said. “Being so close to the center of it all as a business school in the nation’s capital is a strong advantage that not many universities have.”

Chang Li Expands Finance Research and Teaching in Corporate Finance and Monetary Policy

Chang Li joins Kogod for the 2025–26 academic year, shortly after earning his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Southern California. His research areas—corporate finance and monetary policy—complement Kogod’s growing academic depth in financial theory and practice.

Li’s previous work explores the effects of central bank policies on money market mutual funds, contributing to a broader understanding of how monetary decisions ripple through corporate finance. His research earned him the Best Third-Year Paper Award at USC, underscoring his potential as an emerging voice in the field.

In the classroom, Li aims to make finance both interactive and engaging. This fall, he teaches Intermediate Corporate Finance (FIN-368) and Business Finance (KSB-221), where students experience collaborative, scenario-based learning—from bond trading simulations to portfolio competitions and even game show–style quizzes designed to make complex topics approachable.

“I look forward to interactive instruction and engaging teaching philosophy at Kogod,” Li said. “I want to not only lecture but also build good relationships with students inside and outside the classroom.”

Leveraging Washington, DC Connections for Finance Education at Kogod

By joining the Kogod School of Business, Lau and Li bring unique complementarity: one rooted in policy experience and the other in transformative research. Together, they will help students build financial expertise while leveraging the opportunities only possible in Washington, DC.

Their appointments also expand Kogod’s industry connections, bringing more guest speakers, collaborative projects, and experiential learning opportunities that enable students to engage directly with policymakers, regulators, and business leaders.

Advancing Finance Research and Student Success at American University

The addition of Lau and Li marks another step in Kogod’s mission to prepare students to lead at the intersection of business, policy, and society. As the finance faculty grows, so does Kogod’s ability to translate scholarly research into practice—equipping graduates to navigate, shape, and innovate in the global financial landscape.