2026 Participant Biographies

Retired Chief of Big Data & Data Analytics Section, Economic Systems Division, at the International Monetary Fund. My section conducted the first proofs-of-concept for machine learning and rudimentary AI Projects within the IMF.

Prior to that, I served as a Project Manager at the IMF and for the US Federal Courts. I began my professional career as a programmer with Price Waterhouse's Law Firm Services Group, in support of forensic accounting engagements. Prior to that, I served in the US Army, in a Signal Corps role.

I am a reluctantly retired ultra-runner, having completed approximately 150 runs or races longer than 50K over the past 28 years, mostly in mountainous back-country. My body informed me recently that it's time to stop running. I still enjoy cycling, backpacking and hiking, though.

My wife and I share a love for the music of J.S. Bach and other, earlier composers, and also love slapstick Rossini and Mozart operas. We live in Frederick, MD, where Rachel is fully "out" to family and friends and is a regular part of our lives.

Dr. McNeill holds a Doctor of Management (DM) from the University of Maryland Global Campus and an MBA from Frostburg University. Her research areas include theories of the firm, transaction cost economics, and risk-mitigation & pricing.