Christopher Smart, PhD CFA

Experience

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  Pioneer Investments

  Jan 1995 - Aug 2009

  Senior Vice President

  Director of International InvestmentsManaged $2 billion in international and emerging market mutual funds. Regular media appearances on market trends.• Delivered top quintile returns and named Top Mutual Fund Manager among emerging market funds (Barron’s).• Launched East European fund and headed research for a Pioneer-owned Russian brokerage and private equity fund.

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  Department of Treasury

  Aug 2009 - Sept 2013

  Deputy Assistant Secretary, Europe and Eurasia

  As Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe & Eurasia, managed U.S. economic and financial policy engagement across Europe, Russia, and Central Asia.• Led U.S. government response to the European financial crisis, shaping a cooperative solution that saved their common currency and avoided global recession.• Advised and consulted extensively with European financial officials and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to temper draconian debt policies, balancing reforms in debtor countries with long-term loans. Show less

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  The White House

  Sept 2013 - Jul 2015

  Special Assistant to the President for International Economics

  As Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Economics, Trade & Investment, a joint appointment of the National Economic Council and National Security Council, served as the President’s principal advisor on trade and investment policy and led inter-agency decision-making on top international challenges. Policy portfolio included the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Asia Pacific Economics Cooperation (APEC) and Russia sanctions.

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  Harvard Kennedy School

  Jan 2016 - Jun 2017

  Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government & Institute of Politics

  As Senior Fellow, Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, taught seminars and conducted research on the interaction of global financial markets and economic policy.

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  Chatham House

  Oct 2016 - Sept 2017

  Whitehead Senior Fellow

  As Senior Fellow for nonpartisan international affairs think tank, led research on U.S. and European data regulation.

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  Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

  Sept 2017 - Mar 2018

  Senior Fellow

  As Senior Fellow, Geoeconomics & Strategy Program, for nonpartisan international affairs think tank, led research on U.S. financial diplomacy, sanctions policy and the dollar’s status as reserve currency.

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  Barings

  Apr 2018 - Jul 2023

  Chief Global Strategist & Head of the Barings Investment Institute

  Designed and built macroeconomic research unit that linked investment teams across the firm and provided strategic analysis to improve performance, reinforce the firm’s brand and strengthen client relationships.• Convened public and private portfolio management teams to provide macroeconomic and political strategic frameworks and drive linkages across investment silos.• Built deeper relationships with sovereign wealth funds, institutional clients, and asset owners through one-on-one and small group client meetings on investment scenarios and analysis of market and geopolitical trends.• Served as primary public profile. Extensive media interviews, weekly columns (including in Barron’s and Foreign Policy) and regular television appearances (CNBC, Bloomberg). Show less

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  Arbroath Group

  Jul 2023 - now

  Managing Partner

  Founder and Managing Partner of consultancy drawing on extensive investment and government experience to distill and spotlight high-value geopolitical and macroeconomic insights, trends and strategy for financial and corporate clients.