India born Gita Gopinath joins IMF as its first female chief Economist

India born Gita Gopinath joins IMF as its first female chief Economist

India born Gita Gopinath joins IMF as its first female chief Economist

Mysore, India-born Gita Gopinath joined International Monetary Fund (IMF) as its 11th chief economist, thus becoming the first woman to occupy the top IMF post.

Gopinath, 47, succeeds Maurice (Maury) Obstfeld as economic counsellor and director of the IMF's research department. Obstfeld retired December 31.

She is the John Zwaanstra professor of International Studies and Economics at Harvard University.

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.

Gita Gopinath is US citizen, she was born and grew up in India. She received her Ph.D. in economics from Princeton University in 2001 after earning a B.A. from the University of Delhi and M.A. degrees from both the Delhi School of Economics and University of Washington.