Harvard Professor Gita Gopinath becomes the First Female Chief Economist

Following the announced retirement of the Chief Economist, Maurice Obstfeld in July, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) officially appointed Harvard professor Gita Gopinath as its next chief economist, making her the first woman appointed to the prestigious role.

This appointment comes as a quest to grapple issues as surge and the impact of technology on employment. IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said in a statement that:

“Gita is one of the world’s outstanding economists, with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership, and extensive international experience.”

Born and raised in India before fully becoming a U.S citizen, Gita Gopinath received her doctorate in economics from Princeton University in 2001.

Gita is the John Zwaanstra Professor of International Studies and of Economics at Harvard University. She’s co-editor of the American Economic Review and co-director of the International Finance and Macroeconomics Program at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

She is also co-editor of the current Handbook of International Economics with Former IMF chief economist Kenneth Rogoff. She has written about 40 research articles on exchange rates, trade and investment, international financial crises, monetary policy, debt, and emerging market crises, according to the fund.