RyeGPT People of Note: Former Uber CFO Nelson Chai
RyeGPT People of Note is a series highlighting individuals who have a connection to the City of Rye. In the series we ask OpenAI’s ChatGPT to prepare a biography and explain the individual’s connection to Rye.
We welcome your feedback on this series – the use of artificial intelligence, the accuracy and usefulness of each article and your assistance in understanding other pertinent insights related to the person’s connection to Rye.
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Nelson Joosuk Chai is a distinguished American investment banker and financial executive, renowned for his extensive leadership roles across various prominent financial institutions and corporations.
Early Life and Education
Nelson Chai was born in New York City in 1965 to Korean immigrant parents. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
Professional Career
Throughout his career, Chai has held several significant positions in major companies. He began his leadership journey at Dade Behring Holdings, Inc., serving as senior vice president of business development and controller. He later joined Archipelago Holdings, Inc. as chief financial officer, playing a crucial role in the company’s merger with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Following this, he continued his tenure at NYSE Euronext as chief financial officer and executive vice president.
Chai went on to serve as CFO at Merrill Lynch & Co., where he contributed to the firm’s financial strategies during a pivotal period. His leadership extended to CIT Group, Inc., where he took on the role of president, overseeing various financial services and initiatives. Additionally, he served as president and CEO of The Warranty Group, Inc., a company that provides warranty solutions and underwriting services.
In 2018, Chai took on one of his most high-profile roles as the CFO of Uber Technologies, Inc. Overseeing the financial operations of the ride-sharing giant, he played an integral role in guiding the company through its initial public offering and its efforts to achieve profitability. After stepping down from Uber in December 2023, Chai assumed a leadership role at DailyPay, LLC, where he was appointed executive chair in January 2025. In this position, he provides strategic guidance to the organization and leads its board of directors.
Beyond his executive roles, Chai has been an active member of several corporate and educational boards. Since 2010, he has served on the board of Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., contributing to its strategic decisions in the scientific instruments and services industry. He was also appointed to the board of Chubb Limited in May 2024, offering insights into financial and insurance services. Additionally, he has been involved with the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts & Sciences, supporting various educational initiatives.
Connection to Rye, New York
Chai and his wife, Jungwon Chai, own a residence on Boxwood Lane in Rye, NY. Their son, Thomas Chai, attended Rye Country Day School, where he excelled as a lacrosse player. Thomas later continued his athletic career playing lacrosse for the University of Pennsylvania.
