Michael Spence

Mohamed El-Erian.

He is an ideal person to serve Cambridge University in the role of Chancellor, for many reasons.

He is a graduate of the University for which he has had a life long affection.  He credits it with giving him the education and the opportunity for a life of innovation, service and influence.

He has served the University as co-chair of its most recent capital campaign.  And he created and funded the El-Erian Center for Behavioural Economics and Policy in the Judge School of Business. 

He has served as President of Queens’ College.  He cares deeply about education and research and will, if elected, support and represent  the University as Chancellor with energy, dignity, humanity and vision.

Mohamed is, on a very short list, once of the most knowledge and influential intellectual experts on the global financial system and the economy.  His insight and counsel is sought by major institutions around the world in business and finance, and on a daily basis by the media.

On a personal level, Mohamed is a great friend, and a person I admire at the highest level.  His towering intellect never leads to arrogance or condescension.  His passion for learning is without equal in my experience.  But the depth of commitment displayed by his friends, colleagues and supporters probably owes most to his generosity of spirit.  He is an inspiring leader.

That said he is an intellectual with a passion for the fundamental purpose of the University, learning.  But he is also practitioner, a manager and institutional leader.  He likes to get things done and he is good at it. 

This unique combination of intellectual curiosity, action orientation, and passion for the University and its mission, make him, in my view,  a superb candidate for the Office of Chancellor.