Kalpana Kochhar

Kalpana Kochhar oversees an advisory group of economists and development finance experts who use economic analysis and perspectives to ensure that the foundation’s global policy and advocacy work is informed by strong economic and financial analysis and insights, resonant with emerging trends, and connected to key decision-makers.

Before joining the foundation in 2021, Kalpana spent 33 years at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where her most recent position was as director of the Human Resources Department. She also served as deputy director of the Asia and Pacific Department, working on programs and issues related to India, China, Korea, Japan, and several other Asian countries, and in the Strategy, Policy, and Review Department, where she launched the IMF’s work on gender and women’s economic empowerment. From 2010 to 2012, she was seconded to the World Bank as its chief economist for the South Asia region.

Kalpana’s research interests and publications have focused on emerging markets, including India and China; jobs and inclusive growth; gender and inequality issues; structural reforms; and regional integration in South Asia.

She holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. in economics from Brown University and an M.A. in economics from Delhi School of Economics in India. She has a B.A in economics from Madras University in India.