Career Timeline of Austan Goolsbee: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 12, 2025

Discover the career path of Austan Goolsbee, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Austan Goolsbee is an American economist, writer, and the current president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. He previously held the Robert P. Gwinn Professorship of Economics at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. From 2010 to 2011, Goolsbee chaired the Council of Economic Advisers and served in President Barack Obama's cabinet. His public service also includes a stint on the Chicago Board of Education between 2018 and 2019. He is a prominent figure in economic policy and academia.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1995: Received Ph.D. from MIT

In 1995, Austan Goolsbee received his Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

2004: Advised Obama During U.S. Senate Race

In 2004, Austan Goolsbee advised President Obama during his U.S. Senate race.

April 2006: Started Writing for The New York Times

In April 2006, Austan Goolsbee began writing for the Economic Scene column in The New York Times. This column was later moved to Sundays and renamed the Economic View.

2007: Economic Recovery Advisory Board Formed

In 2007, the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board was formed in the wake of the 2007-2008 financial crisis, where Goolsbee later served.

2008: Senior Economic Policy Advisor

In 2008, Austan Goolsbee was a senior economic policy advisor during the Obama presidential campaign.

2008: Financial Crisis and Economic Recovery Advisory Board

In 2008, the financial crisis led to the formation of the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board, on which Goolsbee served.

March 10, 2009: Confirmed to Council of Economic Advisers

On March 10, 2009, Austan Goolsbee was confirmed by the Senate to serve on the Council of Economic Advisers.

March 17, 2009: Comments on AIG Executives

On March 17, 2009, Austan Goolsbee stated on The Daily Show that executives at American International Group (AIG) deserved the "Nobel prize for evil" for their role in the 2008 financial crisis.

June 15, 2009: Guest on The Colbert Report

On June 15, 2009, Austan Goolsbee appeared as a guest on The Colbert Report.

August 11, 2009: Interviewed on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

On August 11, 2009, Austan Goolsbee was interviewed by Jon Stewart for The Daily Show.

November 11, 2009: Daily Show Segment on Cash for Clunkers

On November 11, 2009, Austan Goolsbee appeared in a Daily Show segment interviewed by Josh Gad about whether the Cash for Clunkers program had ruined demolition derby.

February 1, 2010: Interviewed on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

On February 1, 2010, Austan Goolsbee was interviewed by Jon Stewart for The Daily Show.

September 10, 2010: Designated Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers

On September 10, 2010, Austan Goolsbee was designated chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, succeeding Christina Romer.

October 13, 2010: Second Appearance on The Colbert Report

On October 13, 2010, Austan Goolsbee made a second appearance on The Colbert Report.

October 25, 2010: Interviewed on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

On October 25, 2010, Austan Goolsbee was interviewed by Jon Stewart for The Daily Show.

2010: Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers

In 2010, Austan Goolsbee became the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers and a member of President Barack Obama's cabinet.

January 2011: Expressed Confidence in Raising U.S. Debt Limit

In January 2011, Austan Goolsbee expressed the administration's confidence that the U.S. debt limit would be raised, criticizing the rhetoric suggesting opposition to the routine increase.

February 24, 2011: Interviewed on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

On February 24, 2011, Austan Goolsbee was interviewed by Jon Stewart for The Daily Show.

May 18, 2011: Third Appearance on The Colbert Report

On May 18, 2011, Austan Goolsbee made a third appearance on The Colbert Report.

June 6, 2011: Announced Return to University of Chicago

On June 6, 2011, Austan Goolsbee announced that he would return to the University of Chicago.

August 3, 2011: Interviewed on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

On August 3, 2011, Austan Goolsbee was interviewed by Jon Stewart for The Daily Show.

2011: Continued as Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers

In 2011, Austan Goolsbee continued to serve as the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers and a member of President Barack Obama's cabinet.

September 6, 2012: Interviewed on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

On September 6, 2012, Austan Goolsbee was interviewed by Jon Stewart for The Daily Show.

2012: Informal Role in Obama's 2012 Campaign

In 2012, Austan Goolsbee was expected to play an informal role from Chicago in Obama's campaign.

2018: Member of the Chicago Board of Education

In 2018, Austan Goolsbee became a member of the Chicago Board of Education.

2019: Continued as Member of the Chicago Board of Education

In 2019, Austan Goolsbee continued to serve as a member of the Chicago Board of Education.

2020: Co-chaired Economic Advisory Council

In 2020, Austan Goolsbee co-chaired the Economic Advisory Council for Joe Biden's presidential campaign.

December 1, 2022: Announced as President and CEO of Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

On December 1, 2022, Austan Goolsbee was announced as the 10th President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

January 9, 2023: Assumed Office as President and CEO of Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

On January 9, 2023, Austan Goolsbee assumed office as the 10th President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

2023: Golden Path Macroeconomic Outcome

In 2023, Austan Goolsbee argued that the unusual conditions could lead to a 'Golden Path' outcome for the macroeconomy, with inflation falling dramatically without a major recession, due to favorable supply-side developments and the Fed's credibility.