Santiago Levy Algazi is Mexican economist Santiago Levy Algazi became the general manager and chief economist for the IDB Research Department on August 1, 2007.
Previously, he was general director at the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) from December 2000 to October 2005. Under his tenure, he promoted changes to the Social Security Act to increase transparency and accountability in IMSS finances and create long-term reserves.
From 1994 to 2000, Levy served as the deputy minister at the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit of Mexico, becoming the main architect of the renowned social program Progresa-Oportunidades that benefits the poor. He managed budgetary adjustments during the 1994-95 economic crisis and the 1998 fall in oil prices. Previous positions include president of the Federal Competition Commission and director of the Economic Deregulation Program at the Ministry of Trade and Industrial Promotion.
Levy holds an MA and PhD in economics from Boston University. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Cambridge University.