FAR February Breakfast & Educational Session
Macroeconomic Outlook with a Focus on Key Policy Levers
Join us for the FAR February Breakfast & Educational Session.
Participants will learn how to:
- Gain an overview of the projected U.S. macroeconomic landscape for 2026.
- Understand current trends and expectations related to inflation.
- Examine key developments in the labor market.
- Review forecasts for GDP growth and overall economic performance.
- Explore shifts in consumer sentiment and what they signal for the economy.
- Learn about major policy issues influencing the U.S. economic outlook.
- Consider possible economic scenarios and the factors that could shape different outcomes.
Presented by: Ben Harris, Director, Vice President and Director of Economic Studies, Brookings Institution
When: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 | 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Where: 950 N Glebe Rd #100, Arlington VA 22203
Parking: There are nearby parking garages as well as limited metered street parking.
Metro: Ballston-MU
FAR members, please make sure to log in to the FAR website to receive FAR member registration options.
About the Presenter:
Ben Harris | Vice President and Director of Economic Studies |
Brookings Institution
Ben Harris is the Vice President and Director of Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution, where he also holds the Bruce and Virgina MacLaury Chair. As a scholar, Harris focuses on public finance and macroeconomics, and is widely published in academic journals, policy outlets, and the popular press—including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post—and is a regular guest on cable television. With Martin Baily, he is the author of the book The Retirement Challenge: What’s Wrong with America’s System and a Sensible Way to Fix It.
Harris has extensive experience in senior public sector roles. Most recently, he was Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy and Chief Economist at the Treasury Department. He also served as Chief Economist and Economic Adviser to the Vice President of the United States and as a senior economist with the Council of Economic Advisers in the Obama Administration. Harris was also the senior economist with the Budget Committee in the US House of Representatives. In 2020, the New York Times dubbed him the “Quiet Architect of Biden’s Plan to Rescue the Economy.” For his service to the Treasury Department, Harris was awarded the prestigious Alexander Hamilton Award by Secretary Yellen.
In addition to his public service, Harris has worked extensively in think tanks and academia. He has spent much of his career at Brookings, where he has been the director of the Retirement Security Project, policy director for the Hamilton Project, and fellow in economic studies—among other roles earlier in his career. He was also a research associate professor and executive director of the Public-Private Initiative at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and has taught as an adjunct instructor at University of Maryland, Georgetown University, and Harvard.
In the private sector, Harris was founder and president of the economic consulting firm Cherrydale Strategies. He was also the senior economic policy adviser with the hedge fund Rokos Capital.
Harris holds a PhD in economics from the George Washington University, a Master’s Degree in economics from Cornell University, a Master’s Degree in Quantitative Methods from Columbia University, and a Bachelor’s Degree from Tufts. He was also a Fulbright Scholar to Namibia in 2000.
Continuing Education Credits:
This program will be eligible for CPE and CAE credit.
FAR is a CAE Registered Provider. The program listed above meets the requirements for fulfilling the professional development requirements to earn or maintain the Certified Association Executive credential. Every program that we offer that has been approved for CAE credit will clearly identify the number of CAE credits granted for full participation. We will maintain records of your participation in accordance with CAE policies. For more information about the CAE credential or Registered Provider program, please visit www.asaecenter.org/cae.
As a CAE Registered Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this program may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements.
Note: Applicants may use any program that meets eligibility requirements in the specific timeframe toward the exam application or renewal. No specific individual courses are required as part of the applications – the selection of eligible education is up to the applicant based on his/her needs.
FAR is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State Boards of Accountancy have the final authority on the acceptance of individual course for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org. It is Group-Live delivery method. Sponsor ID: 109395
Photography & Recording Release:
By registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree that photographs and video/audio recordings may be taken during the event. These images and recordings may include your likeness and may be used by FAR for promotional, marketing, and archival purposes across various platforms, including print, digital, and social media. By completing your registration, you grant FAR the right to use, reproduce, and publish such materials without further notice or compensation. If you have any concerns or questions regarding this policy, please contact us in advance of the event.
Member Guest Policy:
Nonprofit and Resource Members are welcome to bring guests at no additional cost. To qualify, the guest must be employed by a nonprofit organization. FAR will verify nonprofit employment after registration, and the Member may be contacted if there are any issues with verification. If the guest does not meet the eligibility criteria, cancellation may be required.
