WASHINGTON—Masood Ahmed, the President of the Center for Global Development (CGD), has decided to step down. The Center is commencing a search for his successor.
Under Masood Ahmed's seven-year stewardship, CGD’s footprint and impact has been further elevated in key areas of global development policy. Ahmed has overseen a nearly 50 percent expansion in the Center’s budget and staffing, and a strengthened presence in Europe through its affiliate, CGD Europe. CGD has also become a magnet for prominent global figures, establishing itself as a premier platform for candid and insightful dialogues on cutting-edge ideas in the realms of development economics and finance.
Lawrence H. Summers, Chair of the Board at CGD and former US Treasury secretary, commented on Ahmed’s time as president at CGD, and significant contribution to the sector:
"When I brought Masood Ahmed on board, he received high praise from former IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde, who described him as a visionary leader during his tenure at the IMF. Masood has seamlessly translated this excellence to his role at CGD. Under his leadership, CGD has achieved unprecedented heights, with an amplified voice in the realm of development policy and a roster of exceptional minds added to our team, solidifying our position as a leading force in this arena. He is personally recognized as a leading thinker on international financial institutions and their evolving role in supporting developing countries. His remarkable contributions, both during his time at CGD and over the 35 years leading up to his presidency, have left a lasting mark on global policymaking.
“I am immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to work closely with him over the last seven years—and I am pleased that he will continue to be associated with CGD’s future work in the areas of his expertise.”
Masood Ahmed commented:
"It has been a privilege to lead CGD and to work alongside colleagues who are truly dedicated to ensuring that our economic research is not only academically rigorous, but also has policy impact. I am grateful to my predecessor, Nancy Birdsall, for establishing CGD and laying the foundation for its rigorous approach to development policy. I am also grateful to Larry Summers and the whole of CGD’s board for their unwavering support and guidance.
“I am excited to see what the future holds for CGD—I know it will continue to drive change and push the world’s top decision makers to base policy on what the evidence shows.”
Led by Summers, the Board of Directors at CGD will initiate a search for the next President, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership.
Masood Ahmed joined CGD in January 2017. His distinguished 35-year career in the field of economic development policy spans key international institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and the UK Department for International Development (DFID). During his tenure at the IMF, Ahmed served as the Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department, overseeing operations in 32 countries. Ahmed also held positions as the IMF's Director of External Relations and Deputy Director of the Policy Development and Review Department.
Prior to his IMF role, from 2003 to 2006, Ahmed served as the Director General of Policy and International at the UK's DFID. Ahmed's extensive experience also includes his service at the World Bank from 1979 to 2000, where he attained the position of Vice President for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management.
Born in Pakistan, Ahmed moved to London in 1971 to study at the London School of Economics (LSE), earning a BSc Honors and an MSc Econ with distinction. Over his career, Ahmed has served on a number of international committees. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to international development, Ahmed was knighted (KCMG) by the UK government in January 2023.