Josh Peters

Josh is from Raleigh, North Carolina; however, his roots stem from the rural parts of the state. With a robust academic foundation spanning finance, data science, and philosophy, Josh brings a multidisciplinary perspective to problem-solving and innovation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from North Carolina State University, where he specialized in mathematical finance, quantitative analysis, and information technology under the guidance of retired KPMG Partner Professor Scott Showalter. He furthered his expertise with a Master of Science in Data Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, focusing on econometrics, network science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, mentored by Professor Mirsad Hadzikadic. Additionally, he completed coursework for a minor in Philosophy at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, concentrating on metaphysics, logic, epistemology, and ethics, earning membership in Phi Sigma Tau, the international honor society for philosophers, under the training of Professor Gary Rosenkrantz and the mentorship of Professor Luc Bovens. His diverse educational journey equips him with unique analytical skills and a deep understanding of both technical and conceptual frameworks.

With over a decade of experience spanning financial services, data science, and regulatory compliance, Josh has developed deep expertise in analytics and governance. He began his career as a Senior Associate at KPMG, where he spent four years specializing in financial and IT audits for Fortune 500 banking and insurance companies, focusing on IBNR reserves, reinsurance Contracts, FINRA compliance, hedge funds, derivatives, and capital reserves. He then transitioned to consulting at companies like Wells Fargo, contributing his expertise in financial instruments and model development within the wholesale securities market. Since 2019, he has switched over to private research as a Data Scientist and Data Informatics Manager in the Research Triangle Park, where he specializes in predictive modeling, artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital transformation, and data governance. He has been a dedicated member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for five years and brings a data-driven and forward-thinking approach to every challenge.

With a strong passion for civic engagement and leadership, Josh has actively contributed to political and philosophical discourse for over a decade. He founded a political philosophy group at Wake Technical Community College in 2008 as a member of the Democratic Party, setting the foundation for his commitment to cultivating dialogue and innovation in governance. As an E.A. Morris Emerging Leaders Fellow (2019) and a North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership Fellow (2021), he honed his leadership skills and deepened his understanding of policy and public service. Josh served as Vice Chair of the Wake County Young Republicans in 2020, demonstrating a commitment to bipartisan engagement and bridge-building. Currently, he is an Executive Committee Member of the North Carolina Forward Party (2023–24, 2025–present) and serves as the Chair of the Policy Committee, developing and implementing our Forward Formula methodology for policy initiatives, where he contributes to advancing pragmatic, forward-thinking solutions for the state and beyond.

If you would like to reach out to Josh, you can email him at [email protected].