Johnny Chen '81, CEO, Zurich Financial Services, Greater China-Southeast Asia Regions

As a member of the Executive Committee of Zurich’s International Businesses Division, Johnny Chen knows his business when it comes to securing the financial markets within China. As the CEO of Zurich’s Greater China business division, Johnny oversees the businesses in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan markets, a pivotal location to be in especially in today’s markets.

Johnny spends his personal and professional career defining what true success really is. “For me, it’s been a constant learning process for the past twenty-five years both business and technical wise, as well as learning how to deal and interact with people.” says Johnny, “Public accounting is more than dealing with numbers, its having people skills dealing with clients, customers, banks, and creditors. You have to know the business technical side first to understand how they’re processed.” Johnny began his career at KPMG in public accounting. After leaving KPMG, Johnny went to work within such accounting firms as Peat Marwick Mitchell & Company and Price Waterhouse Coopers. In 2005, he joined Zurich Financial Services.

Chen emigrated from Taiwan to New Haven, Conn. at 13. In 1987, as part of a teaching team for the Professional Accountancy Training Program organized by the World Bank, he was one of the first professional accountants from the U.S.A. in China.

Of his current responsibilities, Chen says, "Public accounting is similar to hospitality management. It’s more than dealing with numbers and financial figures, it’s dealing with people — clients, customers, investment bankers, banks and creditors. It’s a constant learning process."

Chen has served as Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in China since 1995.