Peter Orszag
Frequently Asked Questions About Peter Orszag
Peter Orszag stands as a prominent figure in global finance, currently leading Lazard as its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. His distinguished career spans the worlds of business leadership, economic policy, and government service, including notable tenures heading the Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office.
Here are responses to frequently asked questions about his professional journey and background.
Who is Peter Orszag? As CEO and Chairman of Lazard, Peter Orszag heads one of the world’s premier financial advisory and asset management companies. His professional path has uniquely combined expertise across multiple domains—from corporate finance and academic research to high-level government positions—establishing him as a bridge between private enterprise and public service.
What position did Peter Orszag hold under President Obama? During the Obama presidency, Orszag directed the Office of Management and Budget between 2009 and 2010, playing a pivotal role in navigating fiscal policy during the economic recovery period. He was instrumental in developing the Affordable Care Act. His government service also included heading the Congressional Budget Office, where he influenced budget planning and policy assessment at the federal level.
When did Peter Orszag become Lazard’s CEO? Orszag assumed the role of CEO at Lazard in October 2023. He previously directed the firm’s Financial Advisory division, managing international advisory services for corporate clients and sovereign entities. Under his stewardship, the firm has continued expanding its global operations and strategic initiatives.
What achievements defined Peter Orszag’s government career? Orszag earned recognition in government circles primarily for his work on fiscal management and healthcare policy analysis. Leading both the Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management and Budget, he enhanced the rigor of policy assessment and delivered crucial economic guidance during a period of financial uncertainty.
What is Peter Orszag’s educational background? Orszag’s academic journey began at Phillips Exeter Academy, where he graduated with distinction. He then attended Princeton University, completing his undergraduate degree in economics in 1991 with summa cum laude honors and Phi Beta Kappa recognition.
His undergraduate research examined how Congress oversees the Federal Reserve, foreshadowing his career-long engagement with monetary and fiscal matters. He pursued graduate education at the London School of Economics as a Marshall Scholar, obtaining his M.Sc. in 1992 and his doctorate in economics in 1997.
What are Peter Orszag’s political affiliations? Orszag has held prominent economic policy positions in Democratic presidential administrations. During the Clinton years, he contributed to economic policy development at the Council of Economic Advisers and within the White House. Under President Obama, he led both the Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management and Budget. His policy approach emphasizes data-driven, practical solutions to fiscal and economic challenges.
Who is Peter Orszag’s spouse? Orszag is married to Bianna Golodryga, a prominent journalist who serves as a senior global affairs analyst and correspondent for CNN. Golodryga brings extensive broadcasting experience from her work at major news organizations including CBS, CNBC, and Yahoo News, where she focuses on international politics and economic affairs.
What other organizations does Peter Orszag support? Beyond his responsibilities at Lazard, Orszag holds membership in the National Academy of Medicine within the National Academies of Sciences. He serves as a board member for the Peterson Institute for International Economics and as a Trustee at Mount Sinai Hospital.
His organizational involvement extends to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Russell Sage Foundation, and ideas42, demonstrating his dedication to advancing healthcare, economic research, and educational initiatives. As Director Emeritus of New Visions Academy, he also remains active on the advisory council for The Hamilton Project, an organization he helped establish and formerly led.
What subjects does Peter Orszag address in his writing and public speaking? Orszag’s commentary and analysis span multiple areas where business strategy, economics, and policy intersect. His insights frequently examine forces shaping international mergers and acquisitions, geopolitical factors affecting corporate strategy, along with fiscal policy developments and market dynamics. He draws upon his dual perspective as both a business executive and former government leader in his analysis.