Jerome Hayden Powell is an American economist and lawyer who served as the Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in the United States. He was born on February 4, 1953, in Washington, D.C.
Powell earned his Bachelor of Arts in politics from Princeton University in 1975 and his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 1979. After completing his education, he worked as a lawyer and investment banker.
In 1990, Powell joined the Bipartisan Policy Center as a visiting scholar, where he focused on federal fiscal policy, entitlement issues, and governance processes. He also served as an Assistant Secretary and Undersecretary of the Treasury under President George H. W. Bush.
Powell was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in 2012 to serve as a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. During his tenure as a Fed governor, he supported the central bank’s efforts to stimulate economic growth following the 2008 financial crisis.
In November 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Powell to serve as Chair of the Federal Reserve, succeeding Janet Yellen. He assumed the position on February 5, 2018, becoming the 16th Chair of the Federal Reserve.
As Chair, Powell has overseen monetary policy in the United States, including interest rate decisions, regulatory reforms, and efforts to maintain stable prices and maximize employment. He has faced challenges such as navigating the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining the stability of financial markets.
Powell’s leadership style has been characterized by pragmatism and a commitment to transparency in Fed communications. He has emphasized the importance of data-driven decision-making and has worked to maintain the independence of the Federal Reserve from political influence.
Throughout his career, Powell has been regarded as a centrist figure, willing to engage with diverse perspectives and prioritize the interests of the broader economy. His tenure as Chair of the Federal Reserve has been marked by efforts to support economic recovery while ensuring the stability of the financial system.