Stephen H. Axilrod

About the Author

Stephen H. Axilrod is a distinguished economist and former staff director of the Federal Reserve Board, where he served for over three decades under legendary chairs like Arthur Burns, Paul Volcker, and Alan Greenspan. With a career spanning high-level policymaking and advisory roles, Axilrod has been instrumental in shaping U.S. monetary policy during pivotal economic eras, including the inflationary 1970s and the financial crises of later decades. Now an esteemed author and commentator, he demystifies the complexities of central banking for a broad audience. In his acclaimed book, The Federal Reserve: What Everyone Needs to Know®, Axilrod offers an accessible yet authoritative guide to the Fed's history, functions, and ongoing debates, drawing on his unparalleled insider perspective to illuminate its critical role in the American economy.