Grace became a member of Bradford Allen’s Research team in 2023. She is eager to apply her research-driven approach to the firm. As a part of the team, Grace plays a significant role in the quarterly market report. She utilizes her research skills to provide valuable insights and intelligence across the firm. 

Before joining Bradford Allen, Grace was an analyst at Dearborn Realty. There, she analyzed legal and financial data, aiding management in strategic decisions for 18 retail centers around Chicago. 

She discovered her passion for research while studying sports medicine at Pepperdine University. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and exploring Chicago with her dog. 

Connor Phelan joined BA as a Director, Research in 2022. His primary responsibilities include researching and communicating actionable insights through quarterly and ad hoc reports, as well as maintaining the firm’s market data.

Prior to joining BA, Connor worked at DBRS Morningstar as a financial analyst in the commercial-mortgage backed securities group. In this role, he was responsible for analyzing and assessing the creditworthiness of commercial mortgage-backed securities.

In 2020, Phelan graduated from the University of Chicago, where he played football, with a degree in Public Policy. He grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and outside of work, he enjoys playing pickup basketball and traveling.

Spanning posts at think tanks, banks, and investment managers, Neil’s career has centered on building research platforms and generating original content for sophisticated institutional investor audiences, with specialties in financial markets and international political economy. His research and writing have been covered by outlets across the globe. Additionally, he spent a year as an editor and speechwriter in Seoul, South Korea, and a year studying in Bologna, Italy.

Neil lives on Chicago’s west side with Kathryn Rose and their children. He is a 2002 graduate of The University of Chicago (AB, Economics) and a 2010 graduate of Johns Hopkins SAIS (MA, International Relations).