William (Bill) Lee is chief economist at the Milken Institute. He leads the Institute’s effort to develop collaborative policies to improve the functioning and access to capital markets, strengthen financial stability, and foster global macroeconomic, financial, and regulatory conditions to bolster job creation. He is also responsible for formulating and communicating action-oriented solutions to global policymakers, thought leaders, and market participants. Prior to joining the Institute, he was managing director and head of North America economics for Citi. Before joining Citi in 2011, Lee was deputy division chief at the International Monetary Fund, where he established its Hong Kong office, improved financial market surveillance protocols, and was the IMF resident representative in Hong Kong from 2000 to 2003. His IMF country work included being mission chief for Singapore and deputy division chief covering the United States and Germany. Before the IMF, Lee was division chief and economist at the Federal Reserve in NY and at the Board of Governors, respectively. Lee holds a B.Sc. in operations research and a Ph.D. in economics, both from Columbia University.
