Gita Gopinath to step down from IMF and return to Harvard
Gita Gopinath, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), will step down from her role in August 2025. She will rejoin Harvard University as the inaugural Gregory and Ania Coffey Professor of Economics, marking her return to academia after a transformative stint at the IMF.
Who is Gita Gopinath?
Born in India and now a US citizen, Gopinath made history as the first woman to serve as the IMF’s Chief Economist in 2019. She taught economics at Harvard for over a decade before joining the IMF and quickly rose through the ranks to become the IMF’s No. 2 official, Deputy Managing Director, in 2022.
IMF’s statement on her departure
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva praised Gopinath’s contributions, describing her as an “exceptional intellectual leader” during a period that included the COVID-19 pandemic and global disruptions such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Gita brought extraordinary insights to the IMF during unprecedented global challenges. She will be deeply missed, and a successor will be announced in due course,” Georgieva said.
Gopinath’s decision to leave comes with more than a year left in her tenure, reflecting her desire to return to her academic roots.
Harvard’s announcement
Harvard University confirmed Gopinath’s return in its official gazette, stating: “Gopinath returns as the inaugural Gregory and Ania Coffey Professor of Economics, with new course offerings available next spring.” Her appointment comes at a time when the university faces heightened political scrutiny over governance, hiring, and admissions practices.
Gopinath on her time at the IMF
Reflecting on her tenure, Gopinath called her IMF experience a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“I now return to my roots in academia, where I look forward to advancing research in international finance and macroeconomics to address global challenges, and to training the next generation of economists,” she said in her farewell message.
Gita Gopinath’s departure marks the end of a historic chapter at the IMF and her return signals a new era of academic contribution at Harvard University.
