Michael Zahaby

Michael Zahaby serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Economics & Finance at Florida Gulf Coast University's Lutgert College of Business. With extensive executive experience in finance leadership roles, he brings real-world expertise to the academic environment.

Dr. Zahaby specializes in corporate finance, governance, and risk management. His professional background includes four Chief Risk Officer (CRO) assignments across diverse industries with particular depth in Consumer Products, Retail, and Food and Beverage sectors both domestically and internationally. His teaching focuses on practical applications of financial principles in business environments.

• Boards' Audit & Finance
• Corporate Governance
• Risk Framework Construction
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Distressed Assets/Turnaround
• Banking & Private Equity Finance

Throughout his distinguished career since the 1980s, Dr. Zahaby has served on numerous for-profit and non-profit boards, chairing multiple Finance Committees and participating in Audit Committees. He has chaired Investment, Loan, and Special Assets Committees, bringing substantial board governance experience to his academic role.

• NACD Governance Fellow
• PDA Certified Private Company Governance
• Founding Member Tampa Bay Private Directors Association

As a seasoned financial executive, Dr. Zahaby has developed expertise across leveraged financing, franchise operations, real estate banking, and middle-market lending. His professional experience spans special situations, distressed asset management, and turnaround scenarios, providing students with insights into complex financial challenges.