Peng Zhao
About Peng Zhao
Peng Zhao serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Citadel Securities, a position he has held since 2017. He began his career at the firm in 2006 and has a strong academic background in statistics and applied mathematics.
Work at Citadel Securities
Peng Zhao began his career at Citadel Securities in 2006 as a Senior Quantitative Researcher. He progressed through various roles, including serving as the Global Head of Market Making from 2012 to 2016 and as Vice Chairman, Chief Scientist for a brief period in 2016. In 2017, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer, a position he has held for seven years. During his tenure, Zhao has built his career and team at Citadel Securities, contributing to its growth and success in the financial industry.
Education and Expertise
Peng Zhao studied at Peking University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics (Finance) from 1997 to 2001. He then attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he completed his Ph.D. in Statistics from 2001 to 2006. His educational background has provided him with a strong foundation in quantitative research and finance, which he has applied throughout his career.
Background
Before joining Citadel Securities, Peng Zhao worked as a Summer Associate in Equity Quantitative Research at Lehman Brothers in 2005. He also gained experience as a Part-time Quantitative Researcher at Evnine & Associates, Inc. from 2002 to 2005. His early career experiences contributed to his development as a quantitative researcher and laid the groundwork for his future roles in the finance sector.
Achievements
Peng Zhao has been recognized for his contributions to the field of finance, including being profiled in Bloomberg Businessweek as 'Ken Griffin’s Hand-Picked Math Prodigy.' His rapid rise through the ranks at Citadel Securities reflects his expertise and leadership in quantitative finance. Additionally, he has served as a Member of the Board of Trustees at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago since 2018, where he is dedicated to increasing public understanding of science.