Somjita Mitra, Ph.D. is the Chief Economist at the California Department of Finance. The Economic Research Unit prepares economic forecasts and analyses of various economic developments, advises state departments and local government agencies, provides economic information to the general public and oversees the regulatory review process. 

 Prior to joining the Department of Finance in November 2019 as the Chief of Economic Research, Dr. Mitra was the Director of the Institute for Applied Economics at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). She joined the Institute for Applied Economics as an Economist in June 2013. She was involved in the planning, designing and conducting of research and analysis for consulting clients and local businesses and government. Her focus was on regional analysis, economic impact studies and the industrial and occupational structure of local economies. Dr. Mitra was appointed Chief Economist at the California Department of Finance in May 2021. 

Before joining the LAEDC, Dr. Mitra was an Economist for a local economic research and litigation consulting company evaluating economic damages, estimating lost profits, identifying key economic issues and developing necessary analytical and empirical frameworks. Prior to this, Dr. Mitra was a Project Director for a consumer research firm in Los Angeles where she managed projects that identified and analyzed key market issues for small, local firms as well as multinational corporations. 

 Dr. Mitra received her Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles and her Master of Arts in Politics, Economics and Business as well as her 

Ph.D. in Economics from Claremont Graduate University. Dr. Mitra enjoys volunteering in the local community and is actively involved in both women’s welfare, mentoring first generation college students and animal rescue organizations.