Who Is Kalpana Kochhar? Indian Economist To Join Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation

Who Is Kalpana Kochhar: Indian economist Kalpana Kochhar who worked as the head of the Human Resources Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to join the Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation.

Kochhar will be retiring from her post at the IMF on July 30 and will take the position of Director of Development Policy and Finance at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of IMF spoke about Kalpana Kochhar and said, “In her 33 years at the Fund, Ms. Kalpana provided a shining example of strong leadership and dedication to the Fund’s mission."

"She brought a keen intellect and remarkable passion to her work and always focussed her efforts on helping those we serve. Her work helped to shape the Fund and, while we wish her the very best in her new role, she will be sorely missed.”

Here's what we know of Kalpana Kochhar:

• Kochhar, as Director of Human Resources at IMF, oversaw recruitment and retention of over four thousand employees from more than 150 countries around the globe.
• IMF Managing Director said that Kochhar has provided the management team with the firm's executive board with "sound advice and displayed excellent judgement" in all HR-related matters.
• In IMF's Asia Pacific Department (APD), she provided policy advice to Asian countries in promoting their economic growth, gender equality and financial stability.
• She has also led research studies and policy formulation on the subjects such as gender equity, income inequality and other reforms as the Deputy Director in the Strategy, Policy and Review Department (SPR).
• Kalpana Kochhar also served as the Chief Economist of the South Asia Region for two years at the World Bank.
• She joined IMF as an Economist in 1988 and went on to take several significant roles including her work during the Asain Financial crisis of the 1990s. According to a report, she imparted her knowledge in the field to Korea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.
• Kochhar worked as an Assistant Professor at George Washington University in Washington DC. She is an author who has done research studies on gender, Asia, development issues. IMF in their media release mentioned that Kochhar'w work has been featured in many working papers of the company including books, notes and Finance and Development magazine.