Gita Gopinath – First Woman Chief Economist IMF
By Rashi Agarwal
The Indian-American economist Gita Gopinath (born 8 December 1971) is currently the John Zwaanstra Professor of International Studies and Economics at Harvard University. In October 2018 she was appointed as chief economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
She was earlier also the Economic Adviser to the Chief Minister of Kerala.
Gita was born in Kolkata, India. Later she did her schooling in Nirmala Convent School in Mysore. She is the younger of two daughters of TV Gopinath and VC Vijayalakshmi, both of whom hail from Kannur, Kerala.
She holds a B.A. from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi (1992), Masters in economics from Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi (1994). She completed her M.A. at the University of Washington (1996). In 2001, she completed her PhD at Princeton University.
Gita will be the first woman to hold this very important post. “Gopinath is one of the world’s outstanding economists, with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership, and and extensive international experience,” IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said.
It is a proud moment not only for her family, but for all Indians. She has definitely broken the glass ceiling for all women.