Helen Lao

Helen Lao joined the economic team at CIBC in May 2026. She provides forecasts and insightful commentaries on the US economy and contributes to research on a wide range of topics that impact financial markets. 

Prior to joining CIBC, Helen worked at the Bank of Canada for 10 years, most recently as a principal economist in the United States Division in the International Economic Analysis Department and a senior economist in the Canadian Economic Analysis Department prior to that. She started her career as an economist at the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer. 

Helen received her Master of Arts, Economics, from the University of Toronto.