Vinod Thomas is Director-General, Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) at the World Bank Group. He reports directly to the Board of Executive Directors and oversees the activities of IEG-World Bank, IEG-IFC, and IEG-MIGA (org chart, pdf).

He was formerly Country Director for Brazil and Vice President of the World Bank, a position that he held from October 2001 to July 2005. In this capacity, he managed the Bank’s large lending and non-lending portfolio in Brazil, helped shape the dialogue with the government and the Bank’s Brazil Country Assistance Strategy, and participated in key events with the government.

Prior to that, he was Vice President of the World Bank Institute (WBI), where he sharpened the Institute's focus and quality and expanded its mandate and impact. Before heading WBI, he held positions as Chief Economist for the World Bank in the East Asia and Pacific Region. He was the staff Director for the 1991 World Development Report, entitled “The Challenge of Development” which assessed the world’s development experience. He was also Chief of Trade Policy and Principal Economist for Colombia.

Vinod Thomas joined the Bank in 1976. He has a PhD in Economics from of the University of Chicago. He is the author of numerous books, articles, and reports.

Click here to send Vinod an email.