Kyle Welch is an Associate Professor at George Washington University, specializing in whistleblowing systems, employee voice, and corporate culture. His research reveals counter-intuitive insights into internal whistleblowing systems, showing that organizations with higher volumes of internal reports are often healthier and face fewer lawsuits and fines. By analyzing a proprietary dataset of nearly two million whistleblower reports, Professor Welch sheds light on how these systems prevent issues before they escalate.
In addition to whistleblowing, Professor Welch’s work examines the influence of corporate culture on financial reporting risks. Using employee data from Glassdoor, his research highlights the effects of financial reporting pressure on job satisfaction and company culture. He also explores how high-ability managers navigate ESG (environmental, social, and governance) initiatives to create value for shareholders.
Beyond whistleblowing and corporate culture, Professor Welch has delved into the financial risks associated with private equity. His research on fair value accounting reveals how cost-based methods previously understated the systematic risk of private equity, giving investors a false sense of diversification.
Before entering academia, Professor Welch worked at the Stanford Management Company, where he developed asset allocation and portfolio strategies. Prior to Stanford, he was with Standard & Poor’s in the Corporate Valuation and Consulting group (now Duff & Phelps). He also spent two years as a missionary for his church in Detroit, Michigan.
Professor Welch holds a B.S. and Masters from Brigham Young University and a Doctorate from Harvard Business School. He resides in Vienna, Virginia, with his wife, Laura, and their five children. His latest work can be found on his SSRN profile.
Kyle Welch 