Ali Firoozi
@alifiroozi.bsky.social
Chief Financial Officer at The PAC Group. Contributor and member at Forbes Finance Council. Torch mentor member and leadership advocate.
Leadership is changing and it's changing fast.
Today, leadership is less about authority and more about behavior. It is a verb. It’s the daily actions, the consistency, the willingness to walk the same path you expect others to take.
Today, leadership is less about authority and more about behavior. It is a verb. It’s the daily actions, the consistency, the willingness to walk the same path you expect others to take.
December 15, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Leadership is changing and it's changing fast.
Today, leadership is less about authority and more about behavior. It is a verb. It’s the daily actions, the consistency, the willingness to walk the same path you expect others to take.
Today, leadership is less about authority and more about behavior. It is a verb. It’s the daily actions, the consistency, the willingness to walk the same path you expect others to take.
We are seeing a fundamental restructuring of how money moves, how trade is settled, and how countries manage risk.
Digital payment infrastructure is giving policymakers more choice, more agility, and more control.
Digital payment infrastructure is giving policymakers more choice, more agility, and more control.
Decentralising finance: digital payments and the shifting of global currencies
In the latest issue of "This Week in Macroeconomics", Phyllis Papadavid examines a pivotal structural shift in global finance: the rise of decentralised digital payment systems and what this means for the future dominance of the US dollar.
odi.org
December 12, 2025 at 5:15 PM
We are seeing a fundamental restructuring of how money moves, how trade is settled, and how countries manage risk.
Digital payment infrastructure is giving policymakers more choice, more agility, and more control.
Digital payment infrastructure is giving policymakers more choice, more agility, and more control.
While larger, more bureaucratic organizations often get slowed down by layers of approvals and internal bottlenecks, a flat structure allows us to move fast without sacrificing quality. Meaning we can bring the right people together quickly and create smooth handoffs between teams and clients.
December 12, 2025 at 9:58 AM
While larger, more bureaucratic organizations often get slowed down by layers of approvals and internal bottlenecks, a flat structure allows us to move fast without sacrificing quality. Meaning we can bring the right people together quickly and create smooth handoffs between teams and clients.
As AI reshapes how we work, the leaders who stand out in the future will be the ones who build connections with purpose and clarity. People are looking for voices they can trust, and that trust comes from knowing what you believe and why it matters.
December 8, 2025 at 5:18 PM
As AI reshapes how we work, the leaders who stand out in the future will be the ones who build connections with purpose and clarity. People are looking for voices they can trust, and that trust comes from knowing what you believe and why it matters.
Throughout the industry, there’s growing recognition that last year’s favorable credit conditions are fading. Inflation is proving less predictable than expected, geopolitical pressures are reshaping trade flows, and policymakers are often operating with incomplete data.
World in motion: AI, tariffs and the indeterminate future of capital
Bentham CIO Richard Quin dissects how tariff shocks, data starved policy and AI euphoria are colliding to reshape rates, credit and risk, and explains why a defensively tilted, globally diversified bond posture may be the most rational course for institutional portfolios now.
ioandc.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Throughout the industry, there’s growing recognition that last year’s favorable credit conditions are fading. Inflation is proving less predictable than expected, geopolitical pressures are reshaping trade flows, and policymakers are often operating with incomplete data.
This year, for Giving Tuesday, I’m supporting animal rescues. These organizations do incredible work with limited resources and overwhelming need. Even small donations help provide warm beds, vet care, and safe foster homes. Emma and Mia are proof that small acts of kindness can change a life.
December 2, 2025 at 5:15 PM
This year, for Giving Tuesday, I’m supporting animal rescues. These organizations do incredible work with limited resources and overwhelming need. Even small donations help provide warm beds, vet care, and safe foster homes. Emma and Mia are proof that small acts of kindness can change a life.
Across industries, rising sick days, burnout, and turnover aren’t signs of employee weakness. They’re indicators of a culture misaligned with its people.
Change takes courage.
Sometimes courage looks like calling out a cultural issue.
Change takes courage.
Sometimes courage looks like calling out a cultural issue.
December 1, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Across industries, rising sick days, burnout, and turnover aren’t signs of employee weakness. They’re indicators of a culture misaligned with its people.
Change takes courage.
Sometimes courage looks like calling out a cultural issue.
Change takes courage.
Sometimes courage looks like calling out a cultural issue.
This Thanksgiving, many of us will pause to reflect on what we’re thankful for, but it's important to remember that gratitude isn’t just a seasonal mindset. Let's make gratitude a daily act and a reminder to pause, recognize our shared purpose, and honor the people who make our work meaningful.
November 27, 2025 at 5:16 PM
This Thanksgiving, many of us will pause to reflect on what we’re thankful for, but it's important to remember that gratitude isn’t just a seasonal mindset. Let's make gratitude a daily act and a reminder to pause, recognize our shared purpose, and honor the people who make our work meaningful.
Effective leadership today isn’t about having the “right” answer. It’s about having a process that helps teams move forward when the path isn’t obvious.
There are four guidelines leaders can apply when the stakes are high and the variables are messy:
There are four guidelines leaders can apply when the stakes are high and the variables are messy:
How to Make a Seemingly Impossible Leadership Decision
Today’s leaders face many complex, high-stakes decisions that can’t be managed through traditional risk frameworks alone. When leaders feel paralyzed by ambiguity, they need a framework that balances operational, legal, reputational, and cultural factors and supports principled, decisive action, even when every option feels impossible. There are four guidelines leaders can apply when making high-s
hbr.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Effective leadership today isn’t about having the “right” answer. It’s about having a process that helps teams move forward when the path isn’t obvious.
There are four guidelines leaders can apply when the stakes are high and the variables are messy:
There are four guidelines leaders can apply when the stakes are high and the variables are messy:
Inflation is forcing many families to make impossible choices, food insecurity is growing, and the need for thoughtful, compassionate community support has never been greater.
New Friends Homeless Center
www.newfriendshomelesscenter.org
November 18, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Inflation is forcing many families to make impossible choices, food insecurity is growing, and the need for thoughtful, compassionate community support has never been greater.
Proud to share my latest Forbes Finance Council published article:
“When the Lights Go Out: Why a U.S. Government Shutdown Is a Financial Risk, Not a Political Signal.”
“When the Lights Go Out: Why a U.S. Government Shutdown Is a Financial Risk, Not a Political Signal.”
Why A U.S. Government Shutdown Is A Financial Risk
A shutdown is a liquidity and confidence event that ripples through GDP, credit spreads and institutional trust, and its effects compound the longer it lasts.
www.forbes.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Proud to share my latest Forbes Finance Council published article:
“When the Lights Go Out: Why a U.S. Government Shutdown Is a Financial Risk, Not a Political Signal.”
“When the Lights Go Out: Why a U.S. Government Shutdown Is a Financial Risk, Not a Political Signal.”
True courage isn’t only about bold action. It’s about balance.
It's important for leaders to remember that courage can show up not just in deficiency (hesitation, fear, avoidance), but also in excess (recklessness, overconfidence, or disregard for others’ input).
It's important for leaders to remember that courage can show up not just in deficiency (hesitation, fear, avoidance), but also in excess (recklessness, overconfidence, or disregard for others’ input).
November 17, 2025 at 5:16 PM
True courage isn’t only about bold action. It’s about balance.
It's important for leaders to remember that courage can show up not just in deficiency (hesitation, fear, avoidance), but also in excess (recklessness, overconfidence, or disregard for others’ input).
It's important for leaders to remember that courage can show up not just in deficiency (hesitation, fear, avoidance), but also in excess (recklessness, overconfidence, or disregard for others’ input).
Confidence can earn attention, but respect earns trust, and trust is what sustains a leader's impact even long after they have moved on.
Respect as a leadership skill is about being transparent, sharing the “why” behind decisions, and listening like it’s a strategy.
Respect as a leadership skill is about being transparent, sharing the “why” behind decisions, and listening like it’s a strategy.
November 14, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Confidence can earn attention, but respect earns trust, and trust is what sustains a leader's impact even long after they have moved on.
Respect as a leadership skill is about being transparent, sharing the “why” behind decisions, and listening like it’s a strategy.
Respect as a leadership skill is about being transparent, sharing the “why” behind decisions, and listening like it’s a strategy.
As inflation and uncertainty reshape global markets, investors are moving away from growth-at-all-costs toward precision and protection. This strategy that prioritizes flexibility, long-term value, and steady performance in a volatile world will be key to success in investment in the future.
Inflation and Tariffs Top Concerns for Senior Investment Professionals | PLANADVISER
Senior investment professionals cite inflation and tariffs as key risks shaping portfolio strategies and market outlook.
www.planadviser.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:16 PM
As inflation and uncertainty reshape global markets, investors are moving away from growth-at-all-costs toward precision and protection. This strategy that prioritizes flexibility, long-term value, and steady performance in a volatile world will be key to success in investment in the future.
A heartfelt thank you to all who have served and continue to serve in defense of their nations and communities. We are deeply grateful for your sacrifice and your example. May we all strive to reflect the same sense of integrity and dedication in how we lead, work, and support one another every day.
November 11, 2025 at 5:31 PM
A heartfelt thank you to all who have served and continue to serve in defense of their nations and communities. We are deeply grateful for your sacrifice and your example. May we all strive to reflect the same sense of integrity and dedication in how we lead, work, and support one another every day.
Between tariffs, higher interest rates, and softer consumer confidence, companies are feeling pressure on multiple fronts.
Our role is to stay creative and to find solutions that keep work moving forward, balance costs and impact, and help clients plan through what to pause and what to prioritize.
Our role is to stay creative and to find solutions that keep work moving forward, balance costs and impact, and help clients plan through what to pause and what to prioritize.
November 6, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Between tariffs, higher interest rates, and softer consumer confidence, companies are feeling pressure on multiple fronts.
Our role is to stay creative and to find solutions that keep work moving forward, balance costs and impact, and help clients plan through what to pause and what to prioritize.
Our role is to stay creative and to find solutions that keep work moving forward, balance costs and impact, and help clients plan through what to pause and what to prioritize.
National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week serves as a reminder of the countless lives changed through rescue and adoption.
My rescue dog, Emma's, journey highlights how rescue work isn’t just about saving animals; it’s about rebuilding trust, restoring hope, and creating lifelong bonds.
My rescue dog, Emma's, journey highlights how rescue work isn’t just about saving animals; it’s about rebuilding trust, restoring hope, and creating lifelong bonds.
November 4, 2025 at 5:17 PM
National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week serves as a reminder of the countless lives changed through rescue and adoption.
My rescue dog, Emma's, journey highlights how rescue work isn’t just about saving animals; it’s about rebuilding trust, restoring hope, and creating lifelong bonds.
My rescue dog, Emma's, journey highlights how rescue work isn’t just about saving animals; it’s about rebuilding trust, restoring hope, and creating lifelong bonds.
Leadership potential isn’t something you declare; it’s something you show.
To Be Seen As A Leader, Model These 9 Leadership Behaviors
Leaders notice people who exemplify the qualities they value most. Whether you manage people or projects, your behavior can communicate that you’re ready to lead.
www.forbes.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Leadership potential isn’t something you declare; it’s something you show.
Expertise might get you in the door, but emotional intelligence keeps you effective once you’re there.
Technical expertise and high performance in an individual role don’t always translate into leadership success.
Technical expertise and high performance in an individual role don’t always translate into leadership success.
October 31, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Expertise might get you in the door, but emotional intelligence keeps you effective once you’re there.
Technical expertise and high performance in an individual role don’t always translate into leadership success.
Technical expertise and high performance in an individual role don’t always translate into leadership success.
Macro challenges are testing every line item. Rising rates and tighter conditions don’t just hit margins; they halt strategic projects.
That’s why adaptability and real collaboration matter more than ever. We find the creative solutions that move the business forward, no matter the environment.
That’s why adaptability and real collaboration matter more than ever. We find the creative solutions that move the business forward, no matter the environment.
October 30, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Macro challenges are testing every line item. Rising rates and tighter conditions don’t just hit margins; they halt strategic projects.
That’s why adaptability and real collaboration matter more than ever. We find the creative solutions that move the business forward, no matter the environment.
That’s why adaptability and real collaboration matter more than ever. We find the creative solutions that move the business forward, no matter the environment.
The future belongs to those who can decide quickly what to embrace and what to let go.
Today's leadership is about building the capacity to stay focused amid uncertainty, to listen deeply, and to align every decision with purpose.
The world’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Today's leadership is about building the capacity to stay focused amid uncertainty, to listen deeply, and to align every decision with purpose.
The world’s not slowing down anytime soon.
October 27, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The future belongs to those who can decide quickly what to embrace and what to let go.
Today's leadership is about building the capacity to stay focused amid uncertainty, to listen deeply, and to align every decision with purpose.
The world’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Today's leadership is about building the capacity to stay focused amid uncertainty, to listen deeply, and to align every decision with purpose.
The world’s not slowing down anytime soon.
In a world where change is the only constant, humility is the new superpower. When leaders try to own change instead of orchestrating it, three things tend to happen:
- They stop listening
- They sell a grand vision
- They assume the entire culture must transform
- They stop listening
- They sell a grand vision
- They assume the entire culture must transform
October 22, 2025 at 4:15 PM
In a world where change is the only constant, humility is the new superpower. When leaders try to own change instead of orchestrating it, three things tend to happen:
- They stop listening
- They sell a grand vision
- They assume the entire culture must transform
- They stop listening
- They sell a grand vision
- They assume the entire culture must transform
I recently had the pleasure of joining a podcast to reflect on my journey and experiences as CFO at The PAC Group, as we celebrate over 40 years of innovation and service to our global clients in the automotive and technology sectors.
Close Up Radio Spotlights Ali Firoozi of The PAC Group
As The PAC Group celebrates over 40 years of innovation and service to Fortune 500 clients in the automotive and technology sectors, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Ali Firoozi shares candid insights into his journey, philosophy of leadership, and commitmen
blubrry.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I recently had the pleasure of joining a podcast to reflect on my journey and experiences as CFO at The PAC Group, as we celebrate over 40 years of innovation and service to our global clients in the automotive and technology sectors.
The government shutdown is causing widespread disruption.
Immediate effects: furloughed federal employees & closed services.
Broader impact: delayed economic data & frozen federal contracts hinder planning for companies & policymakers, slowing momentum & weakening trust.
Immediate effects: furloughed federal employees & closed services.
Broader impact: delayed economic data & frozen federal contracts hinder planning for companies & policymakers, slowing momentum & weakening trust.
October 20, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The government shutdown is causing widespread disruption.
Immediate effects: furloughed federal employees & closed services.
Broader impact: delayed economic data & frozen federal contracts hinder planning for companies & policymakers, slowing momentum & weakening trust.
Immediate effects: furloughed federal employees & closed services.
Broader impact: delayed economic data & frozen federal contracts hinder planning for companies & policymakers, slowing momentum & weakening trust.
The Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act is a signal that the rules of engagement for AI are evolving.
We’re entering an era where AI innovation and AI oversight must grow together.
We’re entering an era where AI innovation and AI oversight must grow together.
California adopted AI safety legislation. Here are 5 things it does.
New state legislation regulating artificial intelligence requires transparency and safety incident reporting and establishes whistleblower protections.
www.smartcitiesdive.com
October 19, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act is a signal that the rules of engagement for AI are evolving.
We’re entering an era where AI innovation and AI oversight must grow together.
We’re entering an era where AI innovation and AI oversight must grow together.