IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva proposed the appointment of Okamoto last week, with an effective start date of March 30. The IMF Executive Board has expedited the appointment, effective March 19.
"Given the exceptional challenges that our member countries are facing with the COVID-19 pandemic, I am very pleased that the IMF's Executive Board has agreed to advance Geoffrey's appointment," Georgieva said.
"The IMF is putting all hands-on deck to help our membership address this crisis -- and Geoffrey will play a key role in our efforts," she said.
Okamoto, 35, previously served as acting assistant secretary of the Treasury for international finance and development. He was also the U.S. Treasury's acting undersecretary for international affairs.
Prior to joining the U.S. Treasury Department, Okamoto worked in the U.S. Senate, where he served as the majority staff director for the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Financial Institutions. He was also the policy director for the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Monetary Policy and Trade.
Earlier in his career, he was a consultant with KPMG. He earned a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University.
In early February, Georgieva announced the IMF's First Deputy Managing Director David Lipton would be leaving his post at the end of the month in the context of changes she will be making to the leadership team.
The multilateral lender's second-highest ranking official has traditionally been an American.
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