Hannah Willy

From Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Hannah Willy brings a distinctive and interdisciplinary background to finance, shaped by her undergraduate degree in Astronomy and Physics, with a minor in Mathematics, from Boston University in Spring 2023. Motivated by a desire to pivot her career and build a complementary financial skill set, she enrolled in the Master of Science in Mathematical Finance and Financial Technology program, graduating in January 2025.

“The program transformed me by helping me see myself—and operate—as a finance professional. It made a career pivot feel real and achievable, and it pushed me out of ‘student mode’ and into a more market-focused mindset,” says Hannah. The curriculum built her fixed-income foundation and sharpened her technical toolkit in Python, data analysis, and modeling, which has been invaluable in her current role.

What surprised Hannah most about the MS in Mathematical Finance and Financial Technology program was how the coursework consistently applied concepts to real-world industry problems, getting her day-one ready for the field. “The program also emphasized projects and presentations, which strengthened my communication and public speaking skills,” she says. “In my current role, I give presentations far more often than I ever expected, and I’m grateful I built that confidence early. I also benefited from supportive faculty and dedicated career coaches, especially through mock interviews and hands-on guidance, refining my resume.”

Today, Hannah is a Securitized Research Associate at Income Research + Management, focusing on agency MBS and the U.S. housing market, applying the skills she learned every day in her work as an agency MBS analyst. “The fixed income coursework gave me a strong foundation in bond math and core market mechanics, which I use when evaluating securities and interpreting market moves,” she says. “The program also strengthened my skills in Python, data analysis, and modeling—tools I rely on regularly to work with real-world datasets and develop research insights. Just as importantly, the emphasis on communication and teamwork translates directly into how I collaborate with colleagues and present findings clearly.”

Hannah produces performance and prepayment analysis, tracks market trends, and assesses how macro headlines and policy developments are impacting the sector. Her work supports portfolio managers and traders by helping shape our overall stance on agency MBS, positioning across the coupon stack, and specified pool selection. The goal is to provide research with clear conviction—insights that translate into actionable portfolio decisions and disciplined risk-taking.

Hannah shares some advice for incoming MS in Mathematical Finance and Financial Technology students. “Take initiative early,” she says. “There are so many people in the program who genuinely want to support you, but you have to be proactive about using those resources. I also strongly recommend forming study groups—working through material with others makes a big difference. And don’t procrastinate: the pace can be demanding, and it’s easy to fall behind, but the hard work is absolutely worth it.”

Long term, Hannah wants to continue deepening her expertise in securitized products and take on increasing responsibility in the investment decision-making process. When she’s not working, she’s playing soccer, crocheting, travel, coding, or sitting on the beach!