IMF Appoints Harvard's Gopinath as First Female Chief Economist

By OSA

October 1, 2018, 

• Gopinath will be the first woman to hold the position
• She succeeds Maurice Obstfeld, who will retire at year-end

IMF Appoints 1st Female Chief Economist

The IMF appointed Harvard professor Gita Gopinath as its next chief economist, making her the first woman appointed to the prestigious role.

Gopinath will replace Maurice Obstfeld, who announced in July that he'll retire at the end of this year. The appointment comes as the Washington-based fund grapples with issues such as a surge in protectionism around the world and the impact of technology on employment.

"Gita is one of the world's outstanding economists, with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership, and extensive international experience," IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said .