In September, Paul Shoukry, the president and former CFO of Raymond James Financial, traveled to North Georgia. He had organized team and client discussions in both Atlanta and Athens, yet the pinnacle of his visit might have been when he spoke to 30 students from the Terry College of Business.
A Double Dawg Terry alumnus, Shoukry BBA ’05, MAcc ’05 instantly connected with his audience. This marks the inaugural year that Raymond James, a worldwide leader in financial management and services, officially sought recruits on campus. Some students present had interned at the company; others were unfamiliar with the process. All were attentive to his guidance.
“Your professional trajectory won’t be a straight path. The position you occupy 15 to 20 years down the line may not even be present today. What truly deserves your attention is what you absorb in the two to four years following your graduation. What competencies and connections do you aspire to cultivate? Think long term.” — Paul Shoukry, incoming CEO of Raymond James Financial
When he alleviated the tension surrounding the hunt for a first job, the attendees collectively exhaled.
“It’s a freeing piece of counsel for them,” Shoukry asserts. “‘If I wish to become a CEO in the future, I don’t need to secure this specific position right after college.’ Even my personal career journey wasn’t straightforward. It evolved quite naturally.”
Shoukry’s professional journey is set to reach a new peak in 2025—he was chosen as the next CEO of Raymond James. He attributes his time at UGA as pivotal in launching his career.
During his junior year, Shoukry participated in a session of the Terry Leadership Speaker Series. Guest speaker John Allison, then chair and CEO of the financial services company BB&T, was discussing free markets and a client-first ethos. Shoukry, who originally considered pursuing a career as a tax attorney, found himself intrigued.
Shoukry introduced himself, and Allison handed him a card of a human resources representative. The summer after his graduation, Shoukry secured his first role as a commercial banker at BB&T’s office in Jacksonville, Florida.
Shoukry’s bond with the Terry speaker series is so significant that his family financially supported it last year. It is now titled the Shoukry Leadership Speaker Series.
“That’s another piece of wisdom I shared with the students: Attend as many events as you can,” Shoukry encourages. “One of the simplest and most impactful methods to gain exposure to various individuals, cultures, businesses, and roles is by listening to the experiences of those who are currently in those firms.”
Shoukry’s tenure at BB&T lasted two years before he transitioned to a consulting role in New York and obtained an MBA from Columbia Business School. In 2010, he joined Raymond James as the assistant to the chairman. As he progressed within the company, he held roles in investor relations and spearheaded the firm’s financial risk management initiatives. By 2020, he ascended to chief financial officer and subsequently became president.
When Raymond James CEO Paul Reilly announced his impending retirement after nearly 15 years of leadership, Shoukry was among four internal candidates considered for succession. In March 2024, following a two-year evaluation, Shoukry emerged as the selected leader.
In the period since, Shoukry has dedicated significant time traveling to meet financial advisors, stakeholders, employees, clients—both longstanding and new—and UGA students.
“The position of CEO extends beyond just business or financial outcomes. While those aspects are vital, it is also about the impact you and your organization have on the lives of individuals we interact with,” Shoukry emphasizes. “What efforts have we made to give back to our communities and enhance their well-being?
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