Isabel L. Fontgalland
Isabel Fontgalland is a Professor of Economics and Finance with more than 25 years of international academic and research experience across Brazil, France, and the United States. Her interest in economics began early, shaped by a deep curiosity about political debates and public policy and their capacity to expand opportunity for younger generations. Inspired by innovation-driven institutions such as NASA, she developed a lasting commitment to understanding how economic systems adapt to technological change and how policy can promote sustainable and inclusive growth. She began her professional career in Brazil working in intellectual property as a young economist and researcher before pursuing advanced academic training abroad.
After completing her master’s degree, Dr. Fontgalland moved to France, where she spent seven years earning her Ph.D. in Industrial Economics while working as a research assistant. She subsequently returned to Brazil and served for 16 years as an Associate Professor, teaching doctoral, master’s, MBA, and undergraduate students while managing federally funded research grants. One of her most significant grants focused on profiling women in technology-related fields—including engineering, computer science, and machine learning—highlighting her dedication to advancing diversity in innovation-driven sectors. She defines herself as an applied economist, integrating microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics to produce rigorous, policy-relevant research.
Based in Ohio for the past 17 years, Dr. Fontgalland currently holds academic appointments at the University of Mount Union and the University of Akron. In addition to teaching and advising students, she serves on the Presidential Scholarship Committee, oversees research initiatives, and manages grants focused on green energy and sustainable economic systems. Her current research examines climate change–related disasters in the U.S. Midwest, combining economic modeling with engineering-based risk assessment to inform policymakers and guide strategic public and private investment. Her work is particularly centered on strengthening economic resilience for agricultural communities facing climate stress, reinforcing her commitment to data-driven, interdisciplinary solutions for long-term sustainability.
• Working in my PMP certification
• Federal University of Ceara - BS, Economics
• Universidade Federal da Paraíba - MS, Applied Economics
• IUT - Université de Toulouse - PhD
• Best Economist Thesis Award
• France (2001)
• House of Representatives Command for Research Group Leadership
• Brazil (2005)
• Best Research Paper Award for Green Energy Research
• University of Akron (2012)
• Best Economist of the Year
• Best Paper Awards
• First Grant for Women in Engineering
• Brazil (2010s)
• American Economic Association (AEA)
• IEEE Humanitarian Tecnologies
• St. Paul Catholic Church
• North Canton - Active Volunteer
• St. Paul's School - Theater Program Volunteer and Educational Support
• Association of St. Joan of Chantal
• Brazil - Supporting Single Mothers and Abortion Prevention
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my unwavering belief in the opportunities this country provides and my commitment to serving others. When I came to the United States 17 years ago, I embraced every opportunity with a vibrant belief that I was capable and would be successful, and it happened. I believe this is a land of opportunity where it doesn't matter if you come with $20 or $20 million - you have the same chance to be successful if you want it. I breathe each day believing that what I can do for others is meaningful, and what I can do for the country is meaningful. Even though I was invited here to do my postdoc rather than arriving as an immigrant, the opportunities grew so strong in my heart. My American dream became true because I embraced opportunities with conviction and a focus on how I can serve and help others through my work.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to future leading women in this wonderful country is that besides the power that science can give to us, there are many ways to be important and recognized, and one of them is to be humble and giving. Whatever your work, field, or message, the number one priority should be to serve others. This is the meaningful importance - how can I help others, whether by teaching, by being influential with books and articles, or through other means. I believe this is our main entrepreneurship: to serve others. Once we do that, life is much more smooth, and we can easily find our way to be meaningful. I would tell my own daughter, who is a strong woman, that the key is understanding that our purpose is in service to others, and that makes everything else fall into place.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge for women in all fields, including economics and academia, is that we are challenged to produce more than men. In fields that involve not only intellectual work but also promotion of your own kind, women face the burden of being much more demanding than it is for men. We need to prove all the time that we are able to bring grants, to be outstanding, to be on the clock. When you are new in a place, field, or company, you must show that you are capable as the others are. While we are convinced that as years pass we are becoming more concerned about social problems, the big problem of women in professional fields gets neglected because it is not so visible. We live in a society based in meritocracy, and sometimes we must be equal, but it is not always with the same fairness. The challenge is cultural and traditional worldwide, and as we focus more on wars, inflation, education, and technology, the struggles of women in the field become less visible.