Kristalina Georgieva is a Bulgarian economist and now the current managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). She began her second directorship on October 1, 2024, after being reappointed by the IMF Executive Board in April 2024.
Early Life and Education
Kristalina Georgieva was born on August 1953, in Sofia, Bulgaria, and she earned a Ph.D. in economic science and a master’s in political economy and another in sociology from the University of National and World Economy in Sofia. She was the associate professor at the same university between 1977 and 1993. At the time she was a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
| Full Name | Kristalina Ivanova Georgieva-Kinova |
| Date Of Birth | August 13, 1953 |
| Age | 71 (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | Bulgarian |
| Current Position | Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) |
| Term Start (IMF) | October 1, 2019 (Reappointed for 2nd term starting October 1, 2024) |
| Previous Roles | CEO of the World Bank, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, Vice President of EC |
| Education | Ph.D. in Economic Science, Master’s in Political Economy and Sociology |
| Alma Mater | University of National and World Economy, Sofia |
| Languages | English, Russian, and Bulgarian |
| Notable Achievements | Led IMF during COVID-19, SDR allocation, Resilience and Sustainability Trust |
Career Highlights
Georgieva’s career spans several prominent international institutions:
- She was joined in world bank in 1993 holding some of the postions including director for environment and Director for Sustainable Development. In 2017 she was CEO of World Bank.
- In 2014- 2014 She served as a European Commissioner for international Cooperation, Human Humanitarian Aid, and Crisis Response.
- In 2019 Georgieva became the first person from an emerging market economy to lead the International Monetary Fund. Under her leadership, the IMF has navigated multiple global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and economic uncertainties.
Leadership at the IMF
As the current IMF Managing Director, Georgieva has overseen significant initiatives:
Debt Relief: The IMF provided debt service relief to its poorest members, helping them navigate the economic impacts of global crises.
Covid-19 response: The IMF provided almost one trillion in liquidity and reserves to nearly 100 countries. It also offered debt service relief to its poorest members.
Climate and Sustainability: She led the creation of the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust, aiming to support countries in addressing climate-related challenges.
Conclusion
Kristalina Georgieva’s tenure as the Director of the IMF reflects her commitment to addressing global economic challenges through inclusive and sustainable policies. Her leadership continues to shape the role of IMF’s Role in promoting global financial stability and economic growth.
