We are grateful to count Steven Manson as both an alumnus and a valued member of the University of Washington economics community. Over the past decade, Manson has worked as a portfolio manager for a Singapore-based single-family office, helping guide investments across private equity, venture capital, private credit, hedge funds, real estate, and professional sports teams. His work reflects the global reach of economics and the many paths UW graduates pursue, paths that continue to be shaped by curiosity, analytical thinking, and a shared connection to the Economics Department.
Manson credits his economics degree from the University of Washington Department of Economics as foundational to his career. After graduation, he began working at Bloomberg building asset-backed securities prepayment models, an opportunity he says would not have been possible without his training in econometrics. He speaks with deep appreciation for the mentorship he received from Eric Zivot, whose guidance and encouragement were pivotal early on, as well as Professor Charles Nelson, whose generosity with time and insight left a lasting impression. These relationships, Manson notes, were just as meaningful as the technical skills he developed.
As his career progressed, Manson took on increasing responsibility, including building a portfolio optimization tool at Brown Brothers Harriman and later managing a mortgage-backed securities portfolio at Franklin Templeton. In his current work, he often returns to the fundamentals of pointing to something as simple as a supply-and-demand graph as a powerful way to understand labor markets, wages, and unemployment. He also draws on years of experience working with time-series data, from basic correlations to more advanced models, to better understand how markets evolve over time.
Just as important as professional growth, Manson emphasizes the importance of humility, curiosity, and kindness. His guiding principle of “be nice to everyone and earn people’s respect every day,” has shaped how he approaches work and relationships alike. He encourages current students to explore the breadth of economics and find paths that genuinely interest them, reminding them that the field offers room for many passions. We are thankful for Manson’s continued connection to the department and his generosity in giving back, and we are proud to have him as an engaged and valued member of our economics community.