Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kevin Warsh

How Kevin Warsh built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Kevin Warsh is an American financier and attorney notable for his service on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors from 2006 to 2011. His tenure at the Fed coincided with the 2008 financial crisis, during which he played a role in shaping the central bank's response to the economic turmoil. Since leaving the Federal Reserve, Warsh has remained an influential voice in economic and financial policy, often contributing his insights through commentary and analysis.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1992: Graduated from Stanford University

In 1992, Kevin Warsh graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor's degree in public policy.

1995: Graduated from Harvard Law School

In 1995, Kevin Warsh graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.

August 1996: Hired by Morgan Stanley

In August 1996, Kevin Warsh was hired by Morgan Stanley as an associate, focusing on mergers and acquisitions.

1996: Joined Morgan Stanley

In 1996, Kevin Warsh joined Morgan Stanley as an associate specializing in mergers and acquisitions.

April 2002: Appointed Special Assistant to the President

In April 2002, Kevin Warsh was appointed by President George W. Bush as a special assistant to the president for economic policy and the executive secretary of the National Economic Council. During this time, he managed domestic finance, capital markets, and banking issues. Also in April 2002, Warsh married Jane Lauder.

2002: Special Assistant to President George W. Bush

In 2002, George W. Bush appointed Kevin Warsh as a special assistant to the president for economic policy and the executive secretary of the National Economic Council.

July 2005: Consideration for Federal Reserve Board

In July 2005, Bloomberg News reported that the Bush administration was considering Kevin Warsh for a position on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

January 2006: Nomination to Federal Reserve Board

In January 2006, President George W. Bush nominated Kevin Warsh to serve on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

January 27, 2006: Nominated to Federal Reserve Board of Governors

On January 27, 2006, President George W. Bush nominated Kevin Warsh and Randall Kroszner to serve on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

February 14, 2006: Testimony Before Senate Committee

On February 14, 2006, Kevin Warsh appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs to discuss his nomination to the Federal Reserve Board.

February 24, 2006: Sworn in to Federal Reserve Board

On February 24, 2006, Kevin Warsh was sworn in as a member of the Federal Reserve Board by Vice President Dick Cheney.

May 2006: Warsh Advocates for Hedge Fund Regulation

In May 2006, Warsh stated that the Federal Reserve should increase its regulatory efforts concerning hedge funds.

February 2007: Optimism Amid Financial Crisis Fears

In February 2007, despite mounting fears of a worldwide financial crisis, Kevin Warsh remained optimistic about market liquidity.

2008: Warsh Comments on Taylor Rule During Financial Crisis

Amid the 2008 financial crisis, Warsh asserted that the Taylor rule had been largely accurate, although he acknowledged its failure to predict the crisis.

2008: Response to the 2008 financial crisis

In 2008, Kevin Warsh served as a lieutenant to Ben Bernanke in response to the financial crisis and was involved in the sale of Bear Stearns to JPMorgan Chase, the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, and the bailout of American International Group.

January 2009: Consideration for President of Federal Reserve Bank of New York

In January 2009, Kevin Warsh was considered as a candidate to succeed Timothy Geithner as the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, but he withdrew from consideration.

September 2009: Expressed hawkish views on interest rates

In September 2009, Kevin Warsh expressed the belief that the Federal Reserve should be prepared to raise interest rates.

February 2010: Warsh calls for coordinated regulatory reform

In February 2010, Warsh advocated for international coordination on regulatory reform.

2010: David Wessel's In FED We Trust published

In 2010, David Wessel's In FED We Trust was published, in which Kevin Warsh was named as one of the "Four Musketeers", a group of policymakers at the Federal Reserve who led the central bank through the financial crisis.

February 10, 2011: Announced Resignation from Federal Reserve Board

On February 10, 2011, Kevin Warsh announced his resignation from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, effective at the end of March.

March 2011: Resignation from the Board of Governors

In March 2011, Kevin Warsh resigned from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors after opposing a plan to purchase US$600 billion in Treasury securities.

September 2012: Warsh comments on the release of the iPhone 5

In September 2012, Warsh suggested that the release of the iPhone 5 would have a more significant impact on the economy than the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing efforts.

May 2018: Warsh advocates for Federal Reserve cryptocurrency

In May 2018, Warsh proposed that the Federal Reserve consider using blockchain technology to create its own cryptocurrency.

March 2024: Considered as Successor to Jerome Powell

In March 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that economic advisors to Donald Trump had presented him with Kevin Warsh as a possible successor to Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve.

July 2025: Intensified competition with Kevin Hassett

In July 2025, the Wall Street Journal reported that the competition between Kevin Warsh and Kevin Hassett for a position had intensified into "boardroom drama".

January 2026: Nomination as Chair of the Federal Reserve

In January 2026, Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh to serve as the chair of the Federal Reserve.

January 2026: Trump to nominate Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve

In January 2026, Trump expressed a preference for Hassett to remain at the National Economic Council, while The New York Times reported that Trump intended to nominate Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve. On January 30, Trump announced his nomination of Warsh for the position. Senator Thom Tillis stated he would block the nomination until an inquiry's conclusion, while Bessent sought to begin hearings despite the blockade.

April 2026: Warsh appears before Senate Committee and investigation ends

In April 2026, as Warsh's committee hearing approached, some Senate Republicans voiced discontent with the ongoing investigation amid Senator Tillis's objection. On April 21, Warsh appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, asserting his independence and advocating for Federal Reserve reforms. Following the hearing, the Department of Justice announced the end of the inquiry into Powell.