New and Exclusive to HWA:

Lael Brainard

Former National Economic Advisor and Chair of the National Economic Council (2023-2025); Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve Board (2022-2023) and Member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors (2014-2023)

Lael Brainard is one of the leading economic policymakers, shaping the financial landscape through her expertise in monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and economic governance. As one of the foremost voices on the U.S. and global economy, Brainard has played a pivotal role in navigating financial crises, guiding regulatory frameworks, and fostering economic cooperation.

As the Director of the U.S. National Economic Council (NEC) from 2023 to 2025, Lael Brainard led the administration’s economic policies on growth, tax, investments in semiconductors and clean energy, labor markets, and trade. Before that, she served on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB) from 2014 to 2023, including as Vice Chair starting in 2022. Throughout her tenure, Brainard was instrumental in shaping U.S. monetary policy, and stabilizing financial markets in cooperation with financial officials in the US and globally.

Brainard’s contributions to economic policymaking and strategy have earned her widespread recognition, including Treasury’s Alexander Hamilton Award and Harvard’s Centennial Medal. Whether advising presidents, shaping Federal Reserve policy, or guiding international economic strategy, Lael Brainard remains one of the most respected and influential voices in economic policy today.

Talks & Conversations

Navigating Economic Challenges: A Conversation with Lael Brainard

Join Lael Brainard, former Director of the U.S. National Economic Council and Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve, for an in-depth conversation. With her extensive experience as a policymaker in the Biden and Obama administrations, Brainard offers unique insights into the key economic challenges of today.

Drawing from her time at the Federal Reserve, Brainard discusses her role in managing inflation, stabilizing financial systems, and fostering sustainable growth in an unpredictable economy. As a U.S. representative to the G-7 and G-20, she shares valuable perspectives on international cooperation, trade tensions, and financial stability.

Brainard also examines key domestic policies that influence U.S. economic resilience, from addressing inequality to navigating labor market dynamics and encouraging innovation. Her work in the White House and at the Treasury shapes her understanding of the strategies required to drive growth and overcome economic adversity in the U.S.

This conversation offers a rare opportunity to hear from one of the world’s foremost economic minds, as Brainard brings her expertise to the challenges and opportunities shaping the economy today.

Watch Lael Speak