Kristy Howell

Kristy Howell is Deputy Division Chief in the Balance of Payments Division at the International Monetary Fund, having been promoted to this role in January 2023 after serving as Senior Economist since September 2020. Her expertise spans external sector statistics, climate change indicators, and international economic analysis. Before joining the IMF, Howell held several leadership positions at the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, including Chief of the Balance of Payments Division and Assistant Division Chief for Goods and Services Trade, where she oversaw the production of critical international trade statistics. At the IMF, she has made significant contributions to various initiatives, including the Climate Change Indicators Dashboard and the Coordinated Direct Investment Survey, while serving as secretariat of the IMF's Committee on Balance of Payments Statistics. Her work focuses on developing international statistical standards and improving the quality of external sector statistics. Howell's academic background includes specialization in Development Economics, with coursework in Econometrics, Mathematical Economics, Macroeconomics, Monetary Policy, Finance, and Microeconomics. She continues to shape international economic measurement through her role in updating statistical standards and developing comprehensive training programs for balance of payments and international investment position statistics.