Irena Asmundson

Irena Asmundson joined the California Department of Finance as Chief Economist in April 2013. Prior to joining the department, she was a Senior Economist at the International Monetary Fund. In addition to covering policy issues such as global macroeconomic and financial imbalances, crises, and interconnectedness, she provided forecasts and policy advice on a range of countries, including the United Kingdom and Afghanistan. She has also served as a Staff Economist on the President's Council of Economic Advisers, focusing on international trade. A second-generation California native, Ms. Asmundson received her PhD in Economics from Stanford University, and her bachelor's degrees in Mathematics and Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.