Chris Festog is a passionate, strategically focused, entrepreneurial leader. He brings over 40 years’ experience in creating and building innovative businesses in the insurance industry with the Zurich Financial Group, Texaco, RenaissanceRe and Mutual of America. Over his career he has worked extensively building international operations in the major insurance centers of the world including the United States, England, Europe and Bermuda. In his entrepreneurial pursuits, Chris has served primarily as a Chief Financial Officer but through his innovative use of technology in these efforts he has also served as Chief Information Officer and has been a leader integrating technology innovation with business transformation.Ìý
For more than half of his career, Chris has served as a Chief Financial Officer providing leadership and guidance over financial reporting, financial planning and working with executive leadership teams to execute transformational corporate initiatives. He has led the strategic planning and oversight function in every CFO role. This is particularly important in that virtually every new assignment includes a startup (RenaissanceRe, Zurich, Heritage Union) or a turnaround (Texaco and Mutual of America.) Working well beyond the traditional financial role, he has overseen human resources, marketing, real estate, and other operational areas, to invigorate and expand the business. He has worked extensively with Boards and executive teams to transform and then hand off to next generation of leaders.Ìý
Leadership, stewardship, and transformation have been the focus of his career. He has been a critical executive leader in every corporate role. Driven by his entrepreneurial spirit, he has sought out numerous opportunities to innovate and grow new skills. As a result, he has had to quickly earn the respect and trust of each new team at every level of the company including executive and Board levels. Balancing innovation and transformational initiatives require a strong true north of what is right and as a Chief Financial Officer, he has served as a faithful steward to employees, customers, and shareholders.Ìý
Chris has had extensive Board experience for almost all his career, interacting as a CFO with Boards and committees and more recently as the Chairman and CEO of MoA Funds, a mutual fund company of nearly $30B. He currently serves on the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business advisory board. He also had experience on a non-profit board while serving a startup, Veritas Classical Christian School, still flourishing in Richmond, Virginia today.Ìý
Mr. Festog holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business. He is a CPA in the State of Colorado. He is a published contributor with Forbes and accomplished speaker.