Elisabeth B. Reynolds

Elisabeth B. Reynolds, PhD, is a Professor of the Practice in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at MIT and is an influential voice in crafting strategies aimed at scaling innovative businesses and strengthening U.S. manufacturing capabilities. Sought after for her current analyses and insights, Liz speaks to the dynamics and intersection between business, government, manufacturing, industrial competitiveness, regional economic development, and innovation systems writ large. Her research and policy work center on promoting the growth of innovative companies, accelerating industrial transformation, and fostering inclusive economic development.

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From 2021 to 2022, Liz held the position of Special Assistant to President Biden for Manufacturing and Economic Development at the National Economic Council (NEC). In this role, she was instrumental in shaping the administration’s national manufacturing strategy, enhancing supply chain resilience, and advancing industrial policy. Her leadership contributed significantly to federal initiatives aimed at revitalizing the U.S. manufacturing sector, strengthening critical supply chains and supporting regional economic growth.

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Prior to her time at the White House, Liz was a Principal Research Scientist and served as the Executive Director of the MIT Industrial Performance Center from 2010 to 2021. The center focuses on interdisciplinary research related to industrial transformation and innovation systems. She also co-led the MIT Task Force on the Work of the Future (2018-2021) alongside Professors David Autor and David Mindell. This initiative examined the impact of emerging technologies on work, labor markets, and U.S. institutions, culminating in the publication of the 2022 book Work of the Future: Building Better Jobs in an Age of Intelligent Machines.

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Liz’s influence extends beyond academia, having advised multiple Massachusetts governors on revitalizing the state's manufacturing sector. She has also collaborated with numerous regional organizations to grow and strengthen industry clusters. She currently serves on the boards of several nonprofits, including Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) and the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI). Additionally, she is an advisor to the Special Competitive Studies Project, a think tank focused on U.S. national security and critical technologies.

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In addition to her academic and policy work, Liz has also engaged in research, consulting, and financial analysis. Before joining MIT, she was the Director of the City Advisory Practice at the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), a nonprofit founded by Professor Michael Porter at Harvard Business School that aims to promote business and job creation in urban and inner-city areas. She has also worked as a policy analyst at the Institute for Research in Public Policy in Canada and as a financial analyst with Goldman Sachs in London.

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Liz earned her B.A. in Government from Harvard University and was the Fiske Scholar at Trinity College, Cambridge. She also holds a Master’s in Economics from the University of Montreal and a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Studies from MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning.