Lael Brainard

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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)
Under Secretary of the Department of the Treasury (2010-2013)
Distinguished Fellow, Georgetown Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy

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, she 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.

A seasoned policymaker, Brainard’s experience spans multiple administrations. She has operated at the highest levels of economic diplomacy, including in negotiations with China. She served as Undersecretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Treasury (2009-2013), representing the U.S. in G-20 and G-7 financial negotiations, and was a key player in global economic recovery efforts following the 2008 financial crisis.

Brainard’s global perspective is rooted in her unique upbringing as the daughter of an American diplomat in Cold War-era Poland and Germany. She earned a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University and has held influential roles in academia, including at MIT’s Sloan School of Management and as Director of the Global Economy and Development Program at The Brookings Institution.

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.

Videos: Watch Lael Brainard Speak  >>
Topics: Talks & Conversations with Lael Brainard   >>
News: News about Lael Brainard   >>

Past Hosts Include:

The Economic Club of New York
Financial Services Forum
Bank of England
Council on Foreign Relations
National Association of Manufacturers

Retail Industry Leaders Association
National Association for Business Economics
FT Weekend Festival
Semafor World Economy Conference
Business Roundtable

White House National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard on U.S. Inflation, Debt, and Economic Future | Council on Foreign Relations - Get Sharable Link

Talks & Conversations with Lael Brainard

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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 to ...

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.

Speaker News

Kurt Campbell and Lael Brainard Unite to Illuminate Global Affairs

In an era marked by rapid shifts in both international power dynamics and economic landscapes, a groundbreaking new program is set to bring unparalleled insight into the challenges and opportunities defining our world. Deputy Secretary of State KURT CAMPBELL and renowned economic policymaker LAEL BRAINARD are joining forces to offer a deep-dive exploration into the intertwined realms of geopolitics and global economics.

Campbell, whose distinguished career spans roles such as Deputy Assistant to the President for Indo-Pacific Affairs and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, brings a wealth of experience in navigating the complexities of international security and diplomatic strategy. His expertise in managing the evolving power structures in Asia and beyond promises to provide viewers with a nuanced understanding of how regional tensions and alliances are shaping global stability.

Lael Brainard, celebrated for her incisive analysis and influential work in economic policy, complements this perspective with a focus on financial systems, trade, and market dynamics. Known for her thoughtful approach to addressing economic challenges—from inflation to global supply chain disruptions—Brainard is poised to shed light on how economic policies are both influenced by and in turn influence international relations.

Together, Campbell and Brainard offer a rare, holistic view of world affairs. Their dynamic discussion will explore how geopolitical strategies and economic imperatives intersect, influencing everything from national security to global commerce. As they dissect pressing issues such as shifting alliances in the Indo-Pacific, the economic impact of geopolitical conflicts, and the future of multilateral cooperation, audiences can expect a compelling blend of informed analysis and forward-thinking solutions.

This program is not only timely but also essential for policymakers, business leaders, and global citizens seeking to understand the forces shaping the 21st century. By bridging the often-siloed worlds of diplomacy and economics, Campbell and Brainard are set to provide a roadmap for navigating an increasingly interconnected—and unpredictable—global landscape.

Watch Kurt Campbell's Fireside Chat with The Aspen Insitute >>

Watch Lael Brainard speak at the Detroit Economic Club >>

Press & Media

Former Fed Vice Chair Lael Brainard: The Fed is in wait-and-see mode amid policy uncertainty [video] - CNBC

Former Fed Vice Chair Lael Brainard: U.S. could see a credit downgrade [video] - Fox Business

C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics With Lael Brainard - Council on Foreign Relations

White House National Economic Council Director Visits Mill 19 - Carnegie Mellon University

Remarks by National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard Assessing Progress on the US Economy - The American Presidency Project

A Conversation With Dr. Lael Brainard - Center for American Progress

Lael Brainard’s ‘Crisis Management Agency’ — and Her Warning For Trump - Politico

Ideas for the Meeting Planner

Biography

An internationally respected policymaker and economist, Lael Brainard has helped resolve major financial crises and restore growth including the US regional banking crisis of 2023, debt limit deal of 2024, the COVID-19 crisis, the Euro Area debt crisis, and the Asian financial crisis. Brainard has extensive senior leadership experience in macro, fiscal, and monetary policymaking, as well as in payments, global financial negotiations, and investment policy on semiconductors, AI, and energy, as the former Director of the National Economic Council, Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve, and Undersecretary of the Treasury. As Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve, she was a member of the monetary policy troika. As Administrative Governor and Chair of key Federal Reserve committees, Brainard oversaw national wholesale and retail payment operations, including the launch of new instant payments cloud native national infrastructure, as well as personnel, finance, and operations for the Board and System.

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