Heidi Shierholz

Heidi Shierholz is a prominent American economist and expert in labor economics, currently serving as the President of the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), a non-profit think tank based in Washington, D.C.. Her work focuses on issues related to employment, wages, and income inequality, often collaborating with organizations such as the National Employment Law Project and the Service Employees International Union. Shierholz's research has been widely cited by media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR. She has also testified before Congress on several occasions, providing expert testimony on topics such as minimum wage laws and unemployment insurance.

● Early Life and Education

Heidi Shierholz was born and raised in the United States, where she developed an interest in economics and social justice from an early age. She pursued her undergraduate degree at University of Iowa, before moving on to the University of Michigan to earn her Master's degree and Ph.D. in economics. During her time at the University of Michigan, Shierholz was influenced by the work of prominent economists such as Joseph Stiglitz and Paul Krugman, and she became involved with organizations like the Economic Policy Institute and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Her academic background and research experience have been shaped by interactions with scholars from institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley.

● Career

Shierholz began her career as an economist at the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), where she worked closely with colleagues like Lawrence Mishel and Ross Eisenbrey. Her early work focused on analyzing trends in employment, wages, and benefits, often in collaboration with organizations such as the AFL-CIO and the National Education Association. Shierholz has also held positions at the U.S. Department of Labor, where she worked with officials like Hilda Solis and Thomas Perez, and at the U.S. Department of Treasury, where she interacted with economists like Timothy Geithner and Janet Yellen. Her career has been marked by interactions with prominent figures like Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Nancy Pelosi, and she has been involved in policy discussions at institutions like the Brookings Institution and the Center for American Progress.

● Research and Publications

Heidi Shierholz has published numerous research papers and articles on topics related to labor economics, income inequality, and employment policy. Her work has appeared in outlets like the Journal of Economic Perspectives, The New Republic, and The Nation, and she has been cited by scholars from institutions like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, and Columbia University. Shierholz has co-authored reports with researchers from organizations like the Urban Institute and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and she has presented her findings at conferences hosted by groups like the American Economic Association and the Industrial Relations Research Association. Her research has been influenced by the work of economists like Alan Krueger and David Card, and she has collaborated with scholars from universities like University of California, Los Angeles and New York University.

● Policy Work and Advocacy

As a prominent economist and advocate, Heidi Shierholz has been involved in various policy initiatives and campaigns aimed at promoting fair wages, workers' rights, and social justice. She has worked closely with organizations like the Service Employees International Union and the National Employment Law Project to advocate for policies like minimum wage increases and paid sick leave. Shierholz has also collaborated with lawmakers like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren to develop and promote legislation related to labor rights and economic inequality. Her policy work has been informed by interactions with experts from institutions like the Congressional Budget Office and the Government Accountability Office, and she has been involved in discussions with officials from the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

● Awards and Recognition

Heidi Shierholz has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the field of labor economics and her advocacy work on behalf of workers' rights. She has been recognized by organizations like the National Academy of Social Insurance and the Labor and Employment Relations Association, and she has received awards from groups like the American Economic Association and the Industrial Relations Research Association. Shierholz's work has also been acknowledged by media outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post, which have featured her as a prominent expert in the field of labor economics. Her contributions have been recognized by institutions like Harvard University and Stanford University, and she has been invited to speak at conferences hosted by groups like the Brookings Institution and the Center for American Progress.