IMF Names Silvana Tenreyro Chief Economist

Overview

• The IMF announced Silvana Tenreyro as its new chief economist and director of the Research Department, a decision revealed Tuesday, July 7, with her taking office on August 10.
• In the role she will serve as the Fund’s economic counsellor and lead the team that produces the World Economic Outlook and other major global forecasts.
• Tenreyro combines a Harvard Ph.D. and a London School of Economics professorship with hands-on policy work at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and as an external member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee from 2017 to 2023.
• IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva praised Tenreyro’s collegial leadership and consensus-building, saying those traits will help shape the Fund’s analytical voice on global risks and policy advice.
• Her appointment makes her the second woman to hold the post and surprised some inside the Fund who had expected an American candidate, a choice that could signal broader selection priorities and affect internal dynamics at IMF research and surveillance.