Governor, US Federal Reserve
Jerome Powell led the US central bank from 2018 to May 2026, through the covid crisis, the worst inflation surge in forty years and the rate hikes that followed. Kevin Warsh took over as chair in May 2026. Powell stayed on as an ordinary governor; his term in that role runs to January 2028.
Powell is no longer chair, but he still holds a vote on the committee that sets rates, and his judgement carries more weight than an average governor's because of his experience. More interesting still: as a former chair he can speak more freely about his successor's policy than anyone else.
Earns a law degree at Georgetown and works as a lawyer in New York.
Becomes an undersecretary at the Treasury under President Bush senior.
Becomes a partner at private equity firm The Carlyle Group.
Appointed a governor of the Federal Reserve.
Succeeds Janet Yellen as chair.
Assembles an unprecedented crisis package within weeks during the covid pandemic.
Raises rates at the fastest pace since the 1980s to break inflation.
Hands the chairmanship to Kevin Warsh in May and remains a governor.
“We're not even thinking about thinking about raising rates.”
Updated: 2026-07-23
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