Hughes-Cromwick’s goal at the Energy Institute is to develop and lead new projects at the intersection of energy, economics, policy, and human behavior that complement Energy Institute initiatives. She will also be involved in the Transportation, Economics, Energy and the Environment (TE3) conference, which brings economic scholars together with government and industry practitioners to exchange ideas and address transportation energy and environmental policy challenges.
“Economic analysis forms a critical link between technology advances and investment and policy decisions. For example as we consider the transition to connected and automated vehicles, consumer and market behavior are essential to understanding the energy and emissions impacts of these disruptive technologies. We’re delighted that Ellen will be applying her deep well of corporate and governmental experience to our focus on the next-generation energy landscape,” said Energy Institute Director Mark Barteau.
At the Department of Commerce, Hughes-Cromwick worked on several administration initiatives to improve data quality, measure the digital economy, and expand manufacturing, trade and investment. She assisted Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker on global macroeconomic matters in support of her commercial diplomacy, trade, and foreign direct investment initiatives. Hughes-Cromwick also supported the development of the Obama Administration’s economic forecast.
Prior to joining the U.S. Department of Commerce, Hughes-Cromwick was chief global economist at Ford Motor Company and an Adjunct Professor at U-M’s Ross School of Business. She led Ford’s global corporate economics group with major responsibility for the Company's global economic, financial, and automotive industry forecasts used to support business strategy, finance, and planning.
Early in her career, Hughes-Cromwick was a senior economist at Mellon Bank and assistant professor of economics at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. She also served for two years as a staff economist on the President's Council of Economic Advisers. She received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame, a Master's degree in International Development and a Ph.D. in Economics at Clark University in Massachusetts.