Skip top navigation
Photo of Philip N. Jefferson

Philip N. Jefferson

  • Vice Chair, Board of Governors, 2023–
  • Governor, Board of Governors, 2022–2023

Philip N. Jefferson took office as a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on May 23, 2022, to fill an unexpired term ending January 31, 2036. He was sworn in as Vice Chair on September 13, 2023.

Most recently, Dr. Jefferson was vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty and the Paul B. Freeland Professor of Economics at Davidson College.

Before then, Dr. Jefferson served as chair of the Department of Economics at Swarthmore College, where he was the Centennial Professor of Economics.

Prior to becoming a member of the Board of Governors, Dr. Jefferson was an economist at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Dr. Jefferson’s other past roles include being president of the National Economic Association. He also served on the Vassar College Board of Trustees and the Board of Advisors of the Opportunity and Inclusive Growth Institute at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

Dr. Jefferson received a BA in economics from Vassar College and an MA and a PhD in economics from the University of Virginia.


Written by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and updated September 14, 2023. See disclaimer and update policy.