Lael Brainard is an American economist serving as the 14th director of the National Economic Council since February 21, 2023. She previously served as the 22nd vice chair of the Federal Reserve between May 2022 and February 2023. Prior to her term as vice chair, Brainard served as a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, taking office in 2014. Before her appointment to the Federal Reserve, she served as the under secretary of the treasury for international affairs from 2010 to 2013.
Official portrait, 2023
Brainard, far right, at a briefing for President Obama before the 2012 G20 Los Cabos summit
Brainard's Federal Reserve Board portrait
Brainard sworn in as vice chair of the Federal Reserve by Jerome Powell in May 2022
National Economic Council (United States)
The National Economic Council (NEC) is the principal forum used by the president of the United States for the consideration of domestic and international economic policy matters with senior policymaking and Cabinet officials, and forms part of the Office of Policy Development which is within the Executive Office of the President of the United States.
Barack Obama meets with William M. Daley, Mark Zuckerman, Gene Sperling, Lael Brainard and Neal S. Wolin, 2011
President George W. Bush meets with his economic advisors on February 25, 2003.
Barack Obama meets with advisors in the Oval Office, Aug. 10, 2012