Pirmin Christian Brechbühl

Wake Forest University School of Business

“Gritty go-getter, faith-filled, positive vibes, adventure enthusiast, outgoing spirit, honest heart, hard worker.”

Fun fact about yourself: I am the only Eagle Scout and Dual citizen of Switzerland and The United States on the #1 Ranked NCAA D1 Baseball team.

Hometown: Brookhaven, GA

High School: Greater Atlanta Christian School

Major: Finance

Minor: None

Favorite Business Course: FIN-236 — Private Equity

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work, and Leadership Roles During College:

Wake Forest University Baseball Team – Student-Athlete – All Semesters

Wake Forest University Baseball Team – Leadership Council (Selected by Teammates to represent class) – Sophomore Year

Wake Forest School of Business – Finance Teaching and Research Assistant – Senior Year

Deacon Ducks Unlimited – Wake Forest Chapter of Ducks Unlimited – Co-Founder; Treasurer – Junior and Senior Years

Wake Forest Business School Biz-Buds – Student Mentor – Junior Year

Where have you interned during your college career?

Morgan Stanley – Atlanta/Buckhead, GA – Private Wealth Management Intern – Freshman Summer

Verger Capital Management – Investment Intern – Winston-Salem, NC – Junior Summer

(Played collegiate summer baseball around the country every summer in addition to internships listed above)

Where will you be working after graduation?

Considering 3 different paths:

1. Getting a Master’s in Finance while continuing to play D1 baseball
2. In discussions with Investment Banks and Consulting Firms regarding analyst roles
3. Considering working as a Financial Analyst for one of two different healthcare startups
   1. A wound care provider using revolutionary protocols
   2. An eye care provider with newly patented ophthalmological technology

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The most significant lesson I have gained from studying business is the art of problem-solving and value creation. It’s about offering something valuable to people who, in turn, pay for it because they recognize its worth. Businesses demand collaboration with others. Regardless of whether it is a technology business, a service business, or something else, communication is critical. The only limit is one’s imagination. Where there’s a problem, there’s often a business opportunity waiting to be discovered. Business, at its core, is about solving problems and enhancing people’s lives, offering a pathway for individuals to make a living in the process.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? For students eyeing a business-related major, you get out of it what you put into it. Invest time in connecting with professors, as Wake Forest boasts highly accomplished and knowledgeable faculty. They’re not just educators; they go the extra mile. Also, be ready to embrace collaboration and communication. Business involves working with people and thriving in a team setting, so liking people and being able to communicate effectively is key.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? If I could go back and advise my sophomore-year self on what to do differently, I would suggest taking core classes earlier to allow for more finance electives. While I’ve enjoyed all my classes at Wake, my passion lies in finance. Due to my degree progression and baseball schedule, there are still some finance electives I wish I could have taken during my time at Wake.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of playing on the Wake Forest University Baseball team, and going to the college world series in Omaha, NE this past year, where we finished #3 in the nation.  Few people understand the true depth of commitment it takes to be a D1 athlete, especially on a team ranked in the top 5 in the country. For me, this has involved spending 30+ hours at the field every week meeting with coaches, practicing, lifting, and doing extra work to improve my game while excelling in my academic endeavors as well.

Which classmate do you most admire? While there are many classmates that I admire for different reasons, it is clear to me who I admire most, Crawford Wade.  Not only my roommate throughout college, he is also my baseball teammate and business school buddy. He is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met. In addition to his work ethic, his time management and organizational skills are unparalleled. Perhaps what I admire most about Crawford though is his pure heart and selfless nature.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? My dad is the person I’d want to thank the most for my success. His story, growing up as an immigrant, choosing to become a US citizen, attending West Point, serving our country as an officer in the army, and then putting himself through business school, is an inspiration. The work ethic and integrity he embodies have been my guide. His wisdom of giving it your all, being the first one there, and the last one to leave, has shaped my approach to life. He instilled in me the importance of valuing everyone and finding joy in getting to know people. Even in tough times, he emphasized that it’s all about how you respond. My dad’s experiences and teachings have been the pillars of my success, and I’m endlessly grateful for his influence in shaping who I am today.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

Founding a highly successful, international finance business that is either acquired by a major private equity player or taken public.

Starting a foundation, and giving poor kids the opportunity to play baseball, the sport I love.

What made Pirmin such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Our Undergraduate Business Program is better because Pirmin is in it. Pirmin, when not at the baseball practice facility or traveling for baseball, is in the living room with teammates and classmates. He offers his wisdom and business acumen to assist others, and his energy manifests itself most when he is helping others. Pirmin is a wonderful listener, contributor, and friend to many of our students, and his work ethic and time management are among the best I have seen in the students with whom I have worked.”

Kenny Herbst, PhD
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Business Program
Board of Visitors Fellow in Marketing
Associate Professor of Marketing
School of Business
Wake Forest University

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