Almudena Fernández is UNDP's Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), leading the SDG and Policy Team, providing strategic policy advice on economic trends, forecasts and challenges across the region and their impact on achieving the SDGs. She is also in charge of the LAC regional office's research and knowledge production programme, including the production of the Regional Human Development Report, in close collaboration with the UNDP-wide network of economists. With more than 15 years of experience in technical positions at UNDP, she has led the development of content and knowledge products in the region and specializes in issues related to inequality, poverty, innovation, and sustainable development in LAC. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in economics and anthropology from the University of Chicago.