Professor Michael Harrington
Professor Michael Harrington is the founder and guiding figure of the VMA Community, shaped by a Princeton physics background and decades of institutional market experience. He is known for a disciplined, risk-first approach that emphasizes preparation, verification, and long-term decision consistency.
Approach
Harrington’s approach centers on building decision systems that remain stable under uncertainty. He prioritizes clearly defined assumptions, measurable models, and predefined risk controls, ensuring that execution is guided by evidence rather than emotion during volatile market conditions.
Opinion
- A Markets cannot be predicted reliably, but they can be prepared for through disciplined planning and scenario awareness.
- B Risk management should be embedded in system design, not added after performance expectations are formed.
- C Long-term consistency comes from process quality, documentation, and continuous review rather than short-term outcomes.
Profile
Princeton-trained physicist with a decades-long Wall Street career spanning systematic investing, macro strategy, and institutional risk oversight.
Career
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Academic Foundations
Developed a rigorous analytical mindset through formal training in physics, shaping a model-first view of markets and uncertainty.
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Early Quantitative System Design
Participated in the early construction of institutional quantitative trading systems with emphasis on testing standards and execution discipline.
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Senior Investment & Risk Leadership
Served in senior roles at leading funds, aligning portfolio strategy with risk governance across multiple market cycles.
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Founder of the VMA Community
Established a structured, data-driven learning platform to help investors develop disciplined decision habits and risk awareness.