Session 2: Low-Cost Analysis, Expensive Judgment: What Employees Still Own in the AI Era

Brian A. Thompson is the director of undergraduate programs in the economics department and teaches core and advanced courses in economics and finance. He has been nominated for the Driehaus College of Business Excellence in Teaching Award and received an honorary induction into the Delta Mu Delta Honors Society. While at DePaul, he developed the graduate course in Business Models and Innovation Strategy and has played an integral role in the department’s Business Strategy & Decision-Making concentration.

Thompson founded Black & Essington Solutions, a business development and strategic advisory firm. His experience spans across working in capital markets and other entrepreneurial ventures. Thompson was previously a securities trader and analyst for several proprietary trading firms in Chicago. Additionally, he founded a multi-location martial arts instruction and promotions company and managed a family real estate business.

Thompson uses his industry experience and professional pursuits to compliment his classroom teaching in an engaging and distinctive way. He is often invited to speak at conferences and to conduct workshops for companies and organizations on decision-making and performance improvement. His areas of interest include emotions and judgement in risk-based decision-making, and varying forms of influence on goal orientation. Thompson received his Doctorate form DePaul University, where he studied the effects of reference point adaptation and commitment escalation on financial decision-making.