Dr. SP Kothari, a renowned Indian-American economist, has been appointed Assistant Secretary for the Office of Economic Policy at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, as confirmed in an announcement published on September 2, 2025.
Kothari brings deep academic and policy experience to the role. He is the Gordon Y. Billard Professor of Accounting and Finance at the MIT Sloan School of Management, and a Padma Shri awardee in India. His educational journey spans from the Government College in Kalaburagi, BITS Pilani, IIM Ahmedabad, to doctoral work in the U.S., illustrating an exceptional foundation in economics.
Prior to academia, Kothari held key leadership roles including Chief Economist and Director of the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); he also served in leadership at MIT.
For the people of Kalaburagi, Karnataka, and the Indian-American community, his appointment is a moment of pride-symbolizing impactful contributions to U.S. economic policy-making at the highest levels.
As Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy, Kothari will influence national fiscal strategy, economic forecasting, and regulatory frameworks at the Treasury-elevating representation of South Asian Americans in economic policymaking at the federal level.
Key Takeaways About SP Kothari
- Appointed Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy at the U.S. Department of the Treasury on September 2, 2025.
- Holds the prestigious Gordon Y. Billard Professorship at MIT Sloan.
- Has historic academic roots from Kalaburagi to MIT, with distinguished education at BITS Pilani and IIM Ahmedabad.
- Previously served as Chief Economist and Division Director at the SEC, blending academic insight with regulatory experience.
- His appointment marks a significant milestone for South Asian American leadership in U.S. economic policymaking.
