Anirban Basu

Anirban Basu, a well-known and respected economist, is also recognized for his sense of humor and engaging personality. Twice, he has been recognized as one of Maryland’s 50 most influential people and has also been named one of the Baltimore region’s 20 most powerful business leaders. In 2014, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan appointed Dr. Basu as Chairman of the Maryland Economic Development Commission, a role he held until 2021. He serves as the Chief Economist for several organizations nationwide and lectures at Goucher College as their distinguished Economist in Residence. Basu's expertise spans health economics, the economics of education, and economic development.

In 2004, Dr. Basu founded Sage Policy Group, an economic and policy consulting firm based in Baltimore, Maryland, where he currently serves as CEO. Known for his comprehensive consulting work, he has formulated numerous high-profile economic development strategies for government agencies and non-profit organizations, including co-authoring economic development strategies for Baltimore City and Baltimore County, Maryland. Basu also serves as the Chief Economist for Associated Builders and Contractors and the Construction Financial Management Association.

Dr. Basu holds several board positions at various institutions, including the University of Maryland School of Law, St. Mary's College, the University of Maryland Medical Center, the University System of Maryland Foundation, the Lyric Opera House, the Archdiocese of Baltimore School System, and Truist Bank's advisory board. Previously, he served on the boards of First Mariner Bank, the Baltimore School for the Arts, the Baltimore City Public School System, and Union Memorial Hospital.

Basu earned his B.S. in Foreign Service at Georgetown University in 1990. He acquired his master's in public policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, a master's in economics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law. His doctoral work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, focused on health economics.