🎙️ In Episode 9 of the SCLA CEO Unscripted Speaker Series, we sit down with Karim Abouelnaga, Founder and CEO of Practice, an education company dedicated to closing the opportunity gap for low-income students through high-dosage tutoring, responsive curricula, and technology.
A first-generation American and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Karim founded Practice from his Cornell dorm room at just 18 years old and has since helped nearly 200,000 students nationwide.
In this episode, Karim shares insights on:
Why true success isn’t about money — it’s about purpose
How fear, risk-taking, and asking for help shaped his journey
Turning down Wall Street offers to build a mission-driven company
Lessons in resilience, gratitude, and leadership from his early career
How AI is reshaping opportunity for today’s students
This conversation is packed with inspiration for students and young professionals seeking meaning, impact, and courage in their careers.
#CEOUnscripted #SCLA #KarimAboulnaga #LeadershipJourney #PurposeDrivenLeadership #Entrepreneurship #Forbes30Under30 #StudentSuccess #ResilientLeadership #GrowthMindset #AIInnovation
🎙️ In Episode 8 of the SCLA CEO Unscripted Speaker Series, we sit down with Pedro Barboglio — CEO of Remote Team Solutions, board member of Como Foods, and contributor to Forbes Business Council and Entrepreneur Leadership Network.
With a career spanning IT, staffing, and food manufacturing, Pedro shares insights on:
Why working long hours isn’t the secret to success — and what truly matters
The biggest lesson he wishes he learned in college: start investing early
How he rebuilt after a factory fire that destroyed 70% of operations
Why taking ownership of your time and future is the key to becoming a leader
This conversation is packed with wisdom for students and emerging leaders ready to invest in themselves, embrace resilience, and take control of their career journey.
#CEOUnscripted #SCLA #PedroBarboglio #LeadershipJourney #FutureLeaders #ResilientLeadership #InvestInYourself
🎙️ In Episode 7 of the SCLA CEO Unscripted Speaker Series, we sit down with Debra Fine — Managing Director at Pursant, former CEO of three companies including Small World Kids, and founder of the Fine Line Foundation.
With a career spanning Fortune 500 marketing, Disney Online, global consumer brands, and nonprofit leadership, Debra shares insights on:
How a chance encounter launched her career at just 22 years old
The myth of success she believed in college, and the reality she discovered
Why EQ, creativity, and authenticity matter more than ever in an AI-driven world
The importance of persistence, gratitude, and playing the long game
This conversation is filled with lessons for students and emerging leaders who want to thrive in their careers while staying true to themselves.
#CEOUnscripted #SCLA #DebraFine #LeadershipJourney #FutureLeaders #WomenInLeadership #ResilientLeadership
🎙️ In Episode 6 of the SCLA CEO Unscripted Speaker Series, we sit down with T Paul Thomas — CEO of the Northern Arizona Leadership Alliance, Director of the Northern Arizona Center for Nonprofit Entrepreneurship, and author of Lessons from the Climb.
With more than 30 years leading companies across industries and continents, Paul shares insights on:
Why success isn’t about speed or money, but the impact you create
How to turn college into a journey of experiences and growth
The role of mentors in navigating challenges and opportunities
What it takes to lead with care, humility, and vision
This conversation is packed with lessons for students and young leaders preparing to bridge the gap between campus and career.
#CEOUnscripted #SCLA #TPaulThomas #LessonsFromTheClimb #FutureLeaders
🎙️ CEO Unscripted, presented by the Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement (SCLA)
In this episode, we sit down with Bryan Brenner, Managing Director at NFP and Founder of FirstPerson, to explore his journey from first-generation college student to entrepreneur and respected business leader.
From navigating uncertainty as a student, to launching his own consulting firm, to advising organizations nationwide, Bryan shares powerful lessons on risk-taking, mentorship, and the importance of finding your own leadership voice.
💡 Whether you’re a student, young professional, or aspiring entrepreneur, Bryan’s story is a reminder that you don’t need a perfect plan to succeed — what matters most is curiosity, hard work, and leading with kindness and authenticity.
✨ Bold. Practical. Unscripted.
🔗 Learn more about how SCLA empowers future leaders at www.theSCLA.org
#CEOUnscripted #BryanBrenner #NFP #FirstPerson #SCLA #LeadershipJourney #AuthenticLeadership #StudentLeadership #CareerGrowth #Entrepreneurship #MentorshipMatters #FromStudentToCEO #FutureLeaders #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeadershipPodcast #InspiringVoices
🎙️ CEO Unscripted, presented by the Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement (SCLA)
In this episode, we sit down with Molly North, CEO of Merus, to uncover the lessons she’s learned on her journey from student to CEO — and why embracing change and taking risks are essential to growth.
From navigating early career setbacks to leading Merus through its transition to 100% employee ownership, Molly shares powerful insights on resilience, adaptability, and what it means to truly “take the reins” as a leader.
💡 Whether you’re a student, young professional, or aspiring executive, Molly’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to have it all figured out — what matters most is staying organized, trusting your gut, and seizing opportunities with confidence.
✨ Bold. Practical. Unscripted.
🔗 Learn more about how SCLA empowers future leaders at www.theSCLA.org
#CEOUnscripted #MollyNorth #Merus #SCLA #LeadershipJourney #ResilientLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #StudentLeadership #CareerGrowth #GrowthMindset #OwnershipCulture #FromStudentToCEO #FutureLeaders #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeadershipPodcast #InspiringVoices
🎙️ CEO Unscripted, presented by the Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement (SCLA)
In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Koffler, Founder of New Frontiers, to explore what it really means to succeed — and why staying true to yourself matters more than following the crowd.
From defining success on your own terms, to cutting through distractions and focusing on what’s real, Daniel shares the leadership lessons, daily habits, and personal philosophies that helped him go from student to CEO.
💡 Whether you’re a student, young professional, or aspiring leader, Daniel’s insights are a reminder that authentic leadership starts with self-awareness — and that time is the most valuable currency you have.
✨ Honest. Practical. Unscripted.
🔗 Learn more about how SCLA empowers future leaders at www.theSCLA.org
#CEOUnscripted #DanielKoffler #NewFrontiers #SCLA #LeadershipTips #SuccessMindset #DefineSuccess #AuthenticLeadership #StudentLeadership #CareerGrowth #LeadershipHabits #FromStudentToCEO #PurposeDrivenLeadership #FutureLeaders #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeadershipPodcast #SuccessHabits #InspiringVoices
🎙️ CEO Unscripted: Lauren Imparato — Redefining Success with Halsey Neck
Presented by the Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement (The SCLA)
In this dynamic episode of CEO Unscripted, we sit down with Lauren Imparato, founder of Halsey Neck and former Wall Street executive turned entrepreneur and author. Lauren opens up about walking away from a traditional path to build something radically her own — a company rooted in boldness, intention, and unapologetic authenticity.
From confronting fear to embracing risk, Lauren shares how she forged a new definition of success and what it truly means to lead with your values. This conversation is a deep dive into grit, self-trust, and staying grounded while building something extraordinary.
✨ Raw. Empowering. Unscripted.
🔗 Learn more about how SCLA empowers future leaders at www.theSCLA.org
#CEOUnscripted #LaurenImparato #HalseyNeck #SCLA #StudentLeadership #WomenInBusiness #FromWallStreetToFounder #AuthenticLeadership #PurposeDrivenBusiness #EntrepreneurJourney #BoldMoves #GenZLeaders #FutureCEOs #CollegeToCareer #VisionaryLeadership #NextGenExecutives #RealTalkWithCEOs #LeadershipEvolution #StartupFounder
🎙️ CEO Unscripted: Damola Adamolekun — Leading the Comeback at Red Lobster
Presented by the Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement (The SCLA)
In this powerful episode of CEO Unscripted, we sit down with Damola Adamolekun, the current CEO of Red Lobster. As one of the youngest executives to lead a major national restaurant brand, Damola shares his bold vision for revitalizing Red Lobster, lessons learned through high-stakes leadership, and his personal journey from student to CEO.
With a focus on impact, purpose, and resilience, this conversation offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to lead through change—and how today’s students can prepare to shape tomorrow’s boardrooms.
✨ Authentic. Insightful. Unscripted.
🔗 Learn more about how SCLA empowers future leaders at www.theSCLA.org
#CEOUnscripted #DamolaAdamolekun #RedLobsterCEO #SCLA #StudentLeadership #BlackExcellence #YoungCEOs #CareerJourney #LeadershipDevelopment #FromStudentToCEO #PurposeDrivenLeadership #FutureExecutives #GenZLeaders #CollegeToCareer #RealTalkWithCEOs #BusinessTurnaround #ExecutiveInsights #NextGenLeaders