Lawrence Mishel

Lawrence Mishel came to the Economic Policy Institute in 1987 as EPI’s first research director and later became vice president and then president (since 2002). He has played a significant role in building EPI’s research capabilities and reputation. He has written and spoken widely on the economy and economic policy as it affects middle- and low-income families. He is principal author of The State of Working America (published even-numbered year since 1988), which provides a comprehensive overview of the U.S. labor market and living standards. He also leads EPI’s education research program.
Prior to joining EPI, Mishel worked as an economist for various unions and taught at Cornell’s Industrial and Labor Relations School. Mishel has a PhD in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.