Françoise Le Gall

Logo in White on blue background reading Newcomb Institute Director's Advisory Council

Education & Affiliations

University of Toronto
University of Michigan

Biography

Françoise is a dual national of France and Canada, and a naturalized American citizen. She has lived and traveled extensively in Africa, Asia, and Western and Eastern Europe. She made her career at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and undertook two long-term assignments at the World Bank. Her work centered on providing policy advice aimed at preventing crises, notably in developing and emerging-market economies. Her interests covered such issues as securing financial stability, promoting inclusive economic growth and reducing poverty, and managing governments’ debt.

 

Françoise was a member of the IMF negotiating team that visited Beijing in 1980 and paved the way for recognition of the PRC as the representative of China in the IMF. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, she helped prepare the first IMF loan to Russia as it sought to make the transition to a market-oriented economy. Drawing upon her operational experience and love of teaching, Françoise worked at the IMF Institute for Capacity Development and provided training in economic management to officials from member countries, mostly in Africa. After retirement, she went to live in Cape Town with her husband, a South African national, and daughter (Tulane, ‘20). There, she became involved in the efforts of the Amy Biehl Foundation (ABF) to support vulnerable communities in the townships. She has a B.A. from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, both in Economics. She currently lives in Washington DC.