Otaviano Canuto, Principal of the Center for Macroeconomics and Development, is a well-respected researcher, thought leader and published author in economics with experience of managing knowledge networks and providing strategic advice to senior management of multilateral institutions, governments and private investors. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South and a nonresident senior fellow at Brookings Institution.

His experience includes 15 years as Vice President, Executive Director or Senior Adviser in multilateral institutions (World Bank, International Monetary Fund – IMF, and Inter-American Development Bank – IDB).

During his tenure as Vice President of the World Bank and responsible for the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management (PREM) network, he led 700+ technical staff in building bridges between applied research, operational work and policy advice to clients.

As a Vice President of the IDB, he was responsible for client management and relationships with member governments. As an Executive Director of the IMF and of the World Bank, he overviewed operations and policies implemented by both institutions. Mr. Canuto’s long experience includes a period as deputy minister for international affairs in Brazil’s Ministry of Finance and as a professor of economics.

He is recognized as a result-driven leader of teams dealing with complex policy issues and integrating research results into programs/projects. Consistently acknowledged for a deep understanding of economic trends of the global economy and Latin America and the Caribbean.