Washington D.C.: Gita Gopinath, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) First Deputy Managing Director and one of the most influential voices in global economic policy, is set to leave her post at the end of August 2025. She will return to her academic roots as a professor at Harvard University, marking the end of a groundbreaking tenure at the IMF that spanned more than six years.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva confirmed Gopinath’s departure in a formal statement, praising her “extraordinary service and intellectual leadership.” Gopinath’s contributions have been especially vital during some of the most volatile economic moments in recent history, including the global economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, inflationary shocks, and the climate-related policy transitions.
Originally from India and a U.S. citizen, Gopinath made history in 2019 as the first woman to be appointed Chief Economist at the IMF. Her academic pedigree from Harvard and her pioneering research in international finance quickly earned her recognition both within the Fund and globally. In January 2022, she was promoted to First Deputy Managing Director making her the second-highest-ranking official at the IMF.
During her term, she led the Fund’s work on global financial stability, pandemic recovery policies, and the assessment of digital currencies. She was also a strong advocate for international cooperation and inclusive growth, while emphasizing the importance of sound fiscal management.
As she returns to Harvard, Gopinath expressed excitement about resuming her academic and research work. “The IMF has been an extraordinary platform to shape and contribute to the global economic agenda, but it’s time to return to the classroom and to research,” she said in a brief remark issued through the IMF press office.
The announcement has sparked widespread interest over who will succeed her in the crucial deputy role. The selection process, typically influenced heavily by the U.S. Treasury Department, will likely begin shortly. The role holds considerable sway in shaping global economic narratives, especially at a time when the IMF is navigating a complex landscape that includes geopolitical instability, rising debt burdens, and increasing scrutiny from member nations about the Fund’s evolving priorities.
Notably, her resignation comes at a time when the Fund is under pressure from the returning Trump administration in the U.S., which seeks to streamline the IMF’s focus back to its core mission of economic stability steering it away from broader engagements such as climate and gender equity issues.
Gopinath’s legacy at the IMF will likely be remembered as a transformative one. From shaping policy during unprecedented global disruption to modernizing the Fund’s approach to digital finance and economic resilience, she leaves behind an imprint that will influence global macroeconomic thinking for years to come.