A business economist and corporate executive for over 25 years, Ted Chu’s primary expertise is in four broad areas: corporate strategy, public policy analysis, multinational operations, and financial asset management. He joined the International Finance Corporation [aka IFC, part of the World Bank Group] in September 2014, as Chief Economist. Here, he was responsible for four units: 1) Thought Leadership 2) Country Engagement 3) IFC Research and 4) Development Impact. Currently he is responsible for Economic research within the Economics & Private Sector Development Vice Presidency. Ted is a member of IFC’s Blended Finance Committee and the World Bank’s Chief Economist Council. He heads the IFC Economic Advisory Board and also runs Ted’s Book Club.
Prior to joining IFC, Ted was Professor of Practice Economics at New York University – Abu Dhabi. From 2010 to 2013, he was Chief Economist for the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, providing macroeconomic guidance to the fund’s investment strategy and tactical asset allocation. Prior to 2010, he was Chief Economist and Director of Global Industry Analysis at General Motors, leading a team of regional economists and product planners, spearheading the company’s growth in emerging markets. Chu’s earlier roles include Macroeconomist for the World Bank’s Central and Eastern European operations, Management Consultant for Arthur D. Little, Inc, and Economic-Engineering consultant at Silicon Valley Start-up, Decision Focus, Inc.
Despite Ted’s very full and high level professional life, he has also written and published an authoritative philosophical treatise: Human Purpose and Transhuman Potential. In this book, Ted re-examines the question of human purpose in light of the extraordinary developments of science and technology, arguing that a deep understanding of our place in the Universe is required to navigate the magnitude of the choices that lie ahead.
An American citizen since 1996, Ted was born and raised in Shanghai. He holds a PhD in Economics from Georgetown University, and a BA in Economic Management from Fudan University, China.
