Cornerstone Research, a prominent provider of economic and financial consulting services, has appointed Dr. Phil Leslie as its inaugural Chief Technology and Innovation Officer (CTIO). Dr. Leslie joins the firm from Amazon, where he served as Chief Digital Economist and Vice President, leading transformative digital initiatives and overseeing a research team focused on the company’s advertising, media, and entertainment businesses.
Key Highlights of Dr. Leslie’s Appointment
As CTIO, Dr. Leslie will spearhead Cornerstone Research’s technology and innovation initiatives, with an initial focus on advancing the firm’s artificial intelligence (AI) strategy and exploring tactical applications of AI. His responsibilities will include overseeing the use of generative AI (GenAI) to enhance productivity, developing new products and services, and analyzing the implications of the AI revolution on economic analysis in litigation and regulatory proceedings.
Background and Expertise
Dr. Leslie brings a distinguished academic and professional background to his new role. Before joining Amazon, he was a tenured professor of economics at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He earned his Ph.D. in economics from Yale University.
Driving Innovation in Economic Consulting
“Technology is redefining our industry, and we believe it must be embedded into every facet of our work,” said Cornerstone Research CEO Rahul Guha. “Dr. Leslie’s appointment reflects our commitment to innovation and remaining at the forefront of economic consulting.” Dr. Leslie expressed his enthusiasm for his new role, stating, “I look forward to helping the firm further understand how technology can best benefit our clients, expert witnesses, and consultants.”
Cornerstone Research’s Commitment to Innovation
This appointment marks a significant milestone in Cornerstone Research’s long-term commitment to investments in technology and innovation. The firm founded the Data Science Center in 2014 to help clients address big data challenges and launched the Applied Research Center last year to tackle complex issues through novel research and tool development.
Dr. Leslie’s expertise and experience position him to drive innovation in economic consulting, leveraging new technologies while maintaining analytical rigor. His appointment is expected to have a profound impact on the firm’s ability to deliver cutting-edge services to its clients.
