Joel Litman
Joel Litman is the Chairman and CEO of Valens Research, a global leader in corporate performance analytics, investment research, and financial intelligence. As the firm’s Chief Investment Strategist, he provides insights on equities, corporate credit, and macroeconomic trends to institutional and individual investors worldwide. A forensic accountant and accounting professor, Litman teaches at Hult International Business School, one of the world’s top-ranked MBA programs by The Financial Times and The Economist. He has also taught or guest-lectured at leading institutions including Harvard Business School, University of Chicago Booth, Wharton School, London Business School, and SAIF Jiao Tong University. Before founding Valens Research, Litman held senior roles at Credit Suisse, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, and American Express, where he honed his expertise in financial analysis and valuation. A globally recognized thought leader, he is one of the most sought-after speakers at CFA Institute and CPA/CA Society events worldwide, frequently addressing topics such as forensic accounting, corporate strategy, and market inefficiencies.
Joel Litman Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Chairman, CEO, and Chief Investment Strategist
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Clinical Professor of Business Strategy
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Director
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Director, Manager
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Manager
Academic History
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B.S., Accountancy
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M.B.A., Marketing, Finance and Technology Ventures
CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
Chairman and CEO, Valens Research
Chief Investment Officer, Altimetry Research
Clinical Professor, DePaul University
Professor, Hult International Business School
Founder, FA Alpha
Principal, IXL Center
Board of Directors, COL Financial
Chair, UAFRS Advisory Council
Speaker's Bureau, CFA Institute
Member, AICPA American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
EARLY CAREER
Joel Litman has an extensive background in finance, strategy, and education, having taught and guest-lectured at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including Harvard Business School, University of Chicago Booth, Wharton School, London Business School, and SAIF Jiao Tong University.
He has also lectured and advised government and military organizations, including the Pentagon and the U.S. Marine Corps War College, on strategy, financial intelligence, and decision-making frameworks.
A frequent speaker for CFA Societies and global investment teams from New York to Istanbul to Tokyo, Litman has also trained senior leadership at firms such as PwC and Credit Suisse.
As the architect behind the Uniform Adjusted Financial Reporting Standards (UAFRS), he has pioneered the global adoption of Uniform Accounting—a revolutionary framework for improving the accuracy and transparency of investment analysis and business strategy.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Litman is dedicated to philanthropy, supporting education, job training, and microfinance initiatives, especially in the Philippines, where he promotes community development and economic empowerment.
MEDIA & PUBLICATIONS
Litman is a regular keynote speaker at major financial and industry conferences worldwide, including CFA and CPA chapters.
His insights have been featured on CNBC, quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, and Institutional Investor, and he is a regular contributor to Forbes.
His thought leadership extends to publications such as the Harvard Business Review and Seeking Alpha, where he is among the top-ranked contributors.
Litman is also the co-author of the acclaimed book DRIVEN: Business Strategy, Human Actions, and the Creation of Wealth, which explores the intersection of behavioral economics, strategy, and value creation.