Biography
Shaun Rowles is a Managing Director with over 25 years of experience in institutional investment advisory, having held Portfolio Manager and Senior Institutional Consultant roles at top-tier global banks overseeing billions in capital. He is the author of Money Revolution: FinTech Disruption from Bullion to Bitcoin, The Rowles Report -a global data-driven commentary, and the founder of WatchPoint Analytics, a macroeconomic risk management data analytics firm he built and exited. His research and teaching focus on the intersection of financial data analytics, blockchain technology, AI-assisted financial engineering, and macroeconomic risk modeling.
At Owen, Rowles teaches applied FinTech, guiding students through topics spanning the DISRUPT Framework of FinTech analysis to blockchain, central bank digital currencies, the creator economy, predictive analytics, and AI. He has developed a suite of proprietary quantitative intelligence tools used in his coursework.
Rowles holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management (2012) and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Tennessee, with additional studies in blockchain and digital currency at MIT. He is a guest lecturer at Ringling College of Art and Design, where he teaches on NFTs, digital asset literacy, and the business of the creative economy.
Consulting
Risk Consultant for the Tennessee Valley Authority TVA, and Business Strategy Consultant for middle market firms.
Impact
Author of Money Revolution: FinTech Disruption from Bullion to Bitcoin, which traces the arc of monetary technology disruption from ancient bullion systems through central banking to blockchain and digital currencies. Founded and sold WatchPoint Analytics, a macroeconomic risk management data analytics firm serving institutional investors. Developed a Quant Intelligence Platform of applied analytical tools — including a 16-indicator macro risk appetite model, a concentrated quality factor equity index, and a composite Bitcoin valuation framework — used in graduate-level FinTech instruction at Vanderbilt. Delivered guest lectures and panel discussions on blockchain, NFTs, and the digital economy at institutions including Ringling College of Art and Design and MCM Comic Con London. Completed MIT coursework in blockchain and digital currency. Over 25 years of institutional investment advisory experience overseeing billions in capital across Portfolio Manager and Senior Institutional Consultant roles at top-tier global banks.
Education
BA, Political Science, University of Tennessee, 2001
BA, Psychology, University of Tennessee, 2001
MBA, Vanderbilt, 2012
