Gita Gopinath, the First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), will leave her position at the end of August to return to Harvard University. She will assume the role of inaugural Gregory and Ania Coffey Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics. Gopinath joined the IMF in January 2019 as Chief Economist and was promoted to her current role in January 2022.
Kristalina Georgieva, IMF Managing Director, praised Gopinath's contributions during her tenure. “Gita has been an outstanding colleague—an exceptional intellectual leader, dedicated to the mission and members of the Fund,” Georgieva stated. She highlighted Gopinath's analytical rigor and practical policy advice during challenging periods including the pandemic and global economic shifts.
Georgieva further noted Gopinath's impact on fiscal and monetary policy, debt, international trade, systemic country surveillance, and programs for countries like Argentina and Ukraine. As a key member of senior leadership, Gopinath represented the IMF with integrity at international forums such as the G-7 and G-20.
Georgieva also commended Gopinath’s work as Chief Economist where she ensured that reports like the World Economic Outlook remained authoritative during crises like COVID-19. Her efforts on projects such as the Integrated Policy Framework (IPF) were acknowledged for aiding macroeconomic stability. Additionally, she co-authored a Pandemic Plan aimed at ending COVID-19—a significant contribution globally recognized for setting vaccination targets.
Reflecting on her departure, Gopinath expressed gratitude for her time at IMF: “I am truly grateful for my time at the IMF... I now return to my roots in academia.” She looks forward to continuing research in international finance while training future economists.
The announcement of a successor is anticipated soon by Managing Director Georgieva.