Leo M. Tilman

Biography

Leo M. Tilman is an American financier, author, and entrepreneur — a leading authority on strategy, risk intelligence, and finance. He is Chairman and CEO of Agilion Systems, an advanced technology and strategic advisory firm (formerly Tilman & Company). Previously held senior positions at BlackRock and Bear Stearns and taught finance at Columbia University. Author of four books — 'Agility' (2019, with former NORAD Commander General Chuck Jacoby), 'Financial Darwinism' (2008), 'Asset/Liability Management' (Ed., 2003), and 'Risk Management' (2000, with BlackRock co-founder Ben Golub). In 2010, co-authored a Harvard Business Review proposal with Nobel economist Edmund Phelps to create the First National Bank of Innovation. In 2012, redefined risk intelligence as a new core competence of companies and investors. One of the architects of a public/private partnership (White House Rural Council, USDA, Farm Credit System) that brought billions in private capital to innovative companies. Tilman holds B.A. and M.A. in mathematics from Columbia, with executive education at Harvard Kennedy School and Yale Jackson Institute. Profiled as Business Visionary by Forbes.

Areas of expertise

Risk Awareness Week history

Leo delivered a session at the following RAW edition. Open the archive page for the full programme that year.

• RAW 2025
  The Future of Risk Intelligence — Featured speaker on strategic agility and risk intelligence.

  View RAW 2025 archive →

Books & publications

• Agility: How to Navigate the Unknown and Seize Opportunity in a World of Disruption

  2019 · Missionday · with General Charles H. Jacoby Jr. (ret.)

• Financial Darwinism: Create Value or Self-Destruct in a World of Risk

  2008 · Wiley

• Asset/Liability Management of Financial Institutions

  2003 · Euromoney · editor

• Risk Management: Approaches for Fixed Income Markets

  2000 · Wiley · with Bennett W. Golub