Peter Hirs
CFO
Zurich North America
Peter Hirs is the CFO at Zurich North America and Governing Body Member of the Chicago CFO community.
Learn more about the Chicago CFO community here.
Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
I have been the CFO at Zurich North America since 2019. Since 2005, I held various CFO roles in the US, Europe and APAC with Zurich Insurance. Before this, I worked in investment banking in New York from 2000-2005.
I was born and raised in Switzerland, and I hold master's degrees from the University of Zurich (law) and Columbia Business School (MBA).
What is your guiding leadership principle?
Authentic leadership.
With disruption being a key theme of the past few years, where do you see your role as a CFO going in the next 1-2 years?
I see the role continuing to ensure successful financial performance.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the role as a CFO?
Spend time with the business and the team. Implement changes sooner rather than later.
Tell us 3 fun facts about yourself.
- I Like to play the piano.
- I enjoy riding the John Deere tractor.
- I am well-traveled.
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