Danielle Wood

Danielle Wood (born 1979 or 1980) is an Australian economist who is chair of the Productivity Commission. She commenced as chair in November 2023, and is the first woman to hold the role. Before her time as commission chair, she was CEO of the Grattan Institute from 2020 to 2023.

Early life and education Danielle Wood grew up in the Adelaide Hills, the daughter of Rae and Simon Wood.

She attended Walford Anglican School for Girls in Hyde Park, Adelaide. Walford, however, did not offer economics as a year 12 subject, so she took economics classes at Eynesbury Senior College. She then studied at the University of Adelaide, graduating with a Bachelor of Economics with honours in 2001, before attaining master's degrees in both economics and competition law from the University of Melbourne.

Career After graduating, Wood began her career as a research economist with the Productivity Commission (PC). which was established in 1925. She also co-founded the Women in Economics Network, which is linked to the ESA. Barrett’s appointment to the role in July drew some criticism, as he had previously been chief of staff for former Labor treasurer Wayne Swan at a time when Chalmers was working in that office. When she commenced in the role that November, she became the first woman to lead the PC or any of its precursors since their founding over a century before.

Other activities In May 2024, Wood delivered the Hugh Stretton Oration at the University of Adelaide, on the topic of economic inequality in Australia.