Cecilia Rouse to lead Brookings Institution as president

American economist Cecilia Rouse is set to lead the Brookings Institution as president, with an effective date of January 2024.

The announcement has been made by the Brookings Institution that Cecilia Rouse will assume the position of its next president, following approval from the Board of Trustees. Rouse will officially take up the role in January 2024, succeeding Amy Liu, who has been serving as interim president since July 2022 and will continue in that capacity until January.

Cecilia Rouse will be joining Brookings from Princeton University, where she currently holds the Katzman-Ernst Professorship in Economics and Education. Previously, she served as the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers in the White House from 2021 to 2023, making her the first Black economist to hold this position in the Council’s 77-year history. Rouse also has experience as the Dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and as a Member of the Council of Economic Advisers from 2009 to 2011. Additionally, she worked as a Special Assistant to the President from 1998 to 1999.

Glenn Hutchins and Suzanne Nora Johnson, co-chairs of the Brookings Board of Trustees, expressed their delight with Rouse’s appointment, highlighting her dedication to public policy and education demonstrated through her extensive years of public service and rigorous scholarship. They emphasized that Rouse’s leadership aligns with Brookings’ commitment to rigor, balance, and inclusivity, which are fundamental to the institution’s research and values. The co-chairs also expressed gratitude to Amy Liu for her service as interim president, ensuring the continued excellence of Brookings’ work.

Kenneth M. Jacobs, co-chair of the Board Search Committee, stated that Dr. Rouse is the ideal candidate for the dynamic role of Brookings president, following a thorough and comprehensive search conducted by the Board of Trustees. Jacobs emphasized the crucial role of Brookings’ research and evidence-based analyses in addressing domestic and global challenges and shaping effective policy outcomes.

Ben Bernanke, distinguished senior fellow at Brookings and former Federal Reserve Chair, commended Rouse as an exceptional scholar, institutional leader, and policy adviser at the highest levels, making her an excellent fit for Brookings.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees and based in Washington, D.C., Rouse will assume overall responsibility for all aspects of Brookings, ensuring the institution’s unwavering commitment to producing high-quality research and policy recommendations.

Expressing her enthusiasm, Dr. Rouse stated her excitement about joining the Brookings Institution as its next president. Recognizing Brookings’ century-long legacy of global policy leadership and renowned expertise, she emphasized the importance of a free exchange of diverse ideas in conducting robust research. Dr. Rouse acknowledged the profound challenges faced today, such as the climate crisis, societal polarization, economic insecurity, and the limitless potential of technology. She pledged Brookings’ dedication to asking critical questions and finding effective solutions in these areas.