Emily Watson is a senior director with the TIAA Institute, where she manages the development, implementation, and improvement of the Institute’s thought leadership programs and strategic initiatives. She currently manages partnerships and research projects on topics like young adults and their financial preparedness, the relationship between mental health and financial wellness, and the financial security implications of student loan debt. Emily also co-leads the Institute’s Fellows Program and the TIAA Institute Research Academy. She has a background that spans both the public and private sectors, including past positions with the Clinton Foundation and Merrill Lynch. Emily earned a BA and MPA from the University of Pennsylvania.