School for Startups Radio

July 15, 2025 – Better Sound Machine Josh Bronfman and Environmental Entrepreneur Wayne Elliott

Josh Bronfman – Founder of Sleep with Dreamer
Josh Bronfman had a problem. It was the middle of the night and the sound machine he and his wife used to soothe their baby to sleep suddenly stopped working. No one was going to get any sleep that night if he didn’t fix the plastic disaster. But it required batteries and a screwdriver to replace them. But this was easier said than done. They had just moved into a new rental home, and everything was still packed in boxes. Determined not to spend another night like that, Josh went on a mission to find a suitable sound machine replacement. What he discovered was most of them were pretty much all the same – as in, cheaply made, prone to breaking, and limited in other ways. In the end, this nightmare moment spawned a desire to create The Dreamer, which launched in January 2025 – a state-of-the-art sound machine which incorporates smart technology while also staying budget-wise.
Wayne Elliott – Ship Recycling and Strauss Naturals Advocate
Wayne Elliott has been in the ship recycling business for 40 years. His company can take a 1000-foot-long ship and reduce it to a pile to reusable materials. He has grown into other areas such as battery recycling. He recounts his life-changing experience with SHD, a health supplement he stumbled upon after battling angina and its debilitating symptoms. Struggling with leg cramps, shortness of breath, night sweats, and chest pains, Wayne also grappled with anxiety and a lack of energy, resigning himself to the fate of heart-related issues that plagued his family. However, upon learning about SHD through a friend in Vancouver and being inspired by studies from renowned institutions like Harvard, Wayne decided to give it a try. Astonishingly, within two weeks of taking SHD, he noticed improvements in unexpected ways – his hearing returned, and his respiratory system cleared, leading to a significant boost in energy. Over the course of three months, Wayne transformed into a revitalized version of himself, feeling as energetic as he did decades ago. This transformation propelled him into a new phase of life where he actively engaged with others, becoming a spokesperson for Jim Strauss, the creator of SHD. Wayne’s involvement extended to radio shows and lectures, allowing him to share his incredible journey with thousands of people suffering from various health issues. His enthusiasm and dedication to natural health solutions led him to become a regular guest on radio networks in the USA and Canada, where he continued to spread the word about his positive experiences with SHD and its miraculous effects on individuals dealing with diabetes, heart disease, low energy, and clogged arteries. Wayne’s story highlights the power of painless, safe, and affordable health products, emphasizing the beauty of solutions that genuinely work. His gratitude towards Jim Strauss and the Strauss Heart Drops is profound, as he believes that without this intervention, he might not have been alive today, reinforcing the transformative impact of natural health remedies in the face of life-threatening conditions. Strauss Naturals is sponsoring the show with support for our radio-minute segments. Wayne says very simply that their products saved him. He became an advocate for the company and has been working with them for 29 years.

July 14, 2025 – Fix the Systems Doug Hall and OFFLINE Howard Lewis

Doug Hall – Inventor, Author, Speaker, Trainer & Bourbon Maker
Doug Hall is a pioneering inventor, innovation researcher, and bestselling author dedicated to empowering people with the skills and confidence to create and act on breakthrough ideas. With a career spanning over 40 years, Doug has helped companies like Disney, Nike, Procter & Gamble, AT&T, and American Express transform their approach to innovation. His expertise blends the Art of Innovation—honed through hands-on experience with over 2,000 companies—with the Science of Innovation, applying the systems thinking mindset of Dr. W. Edwards Deming to accelerate employee engagement and drive disruptive breakthroughs. In recognition of his groundbreaking work, Doug has been awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Maine and the University of Prince Edward Island. Doug’s latest research explores the Psychology of Innovation, uncovering ways to help adults overcome fear, capability gaps, and self-doubt when generating ideas. He is also focused on engaging frontline employees and managers in everyday innovation, addressing the staggering 50% loss in value that disruptive innovations often suffer during development and commercialization. His latest book, PROACTIVE Problem Solving, co-developed with Maggie Nichols and the Eureka! Ranch team, provides a proven system for helping employees and managers eliminate inefficiencies and generate smarter ways of working. In addition, Doug’s passion for innovation extends to Brain Brew Distillery, where he and Joe Girgash created award-winning bourbon and whiskey brands, including Dexter Bourbon—recognized among the world’s top 12 bourbons. Beyond his writing and research, Doug has captivated audiences as the author of eight books on innovation and courage, including Jump Start Your Business Brain, named one of the 100 Best Business Books of All Time. He has starred in two network television series (ABC’s American Inventor and W Network’s Backyard Inventor), hosted a nationally syndicated radio show (Brain Brew Radio), and performed his one-man play, North Pole Tenderfoot, chronicling his adventure recreating Admiral Peary’s last dash to the North Pole. In his free time, Doug enjoys open-fire cooking, 1800s whiskey cocktails, sailing, and playing the bagpipes. He and his wife of 49 years split their time between Cincinnati, Ohio; Springbrook, Prince Edward Island; and Aruba.Howard Lewis – Founder of OFFLINE and Author of Leave Your Phone at the Door: The Joy of OFFLINE
Howard Lewis, cultured, creative and curious, brings a multifarious box of tricks to the table. Over many years, he sent investment reports for private circulation that touched upon issues such as infrastructure, demographics and the vagaries of markets. He broadened his horizons by reflecting too upon aspects of the art market and life in general but, more importantly, started sending articles to friends, clients and associates on subjects that they were interested in or which he felt they should be aware of. The response to this was overwhelmingly positive and led to the genesis of OFFLINE. The fundamental premise behind it was that in a wired world people needed more than ever to engage in physical interaction with one another. The articles were mere props but they reinforced the fact that the simple acts of talking, laughing, eating, thinking. OFFLINE is designed to be the antithesis of everything online but also recognises that veering off road and then back on it is both valuable and necessary. It aims to challenge and provoke, question and answer, stimulate and amuse, nurture and nourish in a delightful and congenial setting. As to slightly more prosaic matters, Howard is passionate about art, books, football, travel, wit and wonder and is extremely partial to custard doughnuts (with sprinkly sugar for the purists among you). He is a member of MCC, Savile Club, London Library and a long term season ticket holder at Arsenal FC, true purveyors of the beautiful game.

July 11, 2025 – Side Hustle Nation Nick Loper and Mindfulness Expert Pankaj Singh

Nick Loper – Chief Side Hustler at Side Hustle Nation
Nick Loper is the founder and Chief Side Hustler at Side Hustle Nation™, a leading platform dedicated to helping people build income streams outside of their day jobs. A lifelong entrepreneur, Nick’s journey began with humble ventures like selling candy at Boy Scout camp and painting houses during college at the University of Washington. After graduating, he followed the traditional path by landing a corporate job, but continued to grow his business during nights and weekends — a strategy he now champions for aspiring entrepreneurs. Nick launched Side Hustle Nation to promote the power of focused effort — or hustle — as a way to take control of one’s life, without falling into the trap of burnout. Inspired by the mantra of one of his old baseball coaches — “Hustle never slumps” — he believes hustle is the one part of your game you can always control. Through his site, Nick shares practical insights, personal wins and failures, and actionable lessons from hundreds of fellow side hustlers. Whether you’re aiming to make extra money, pay off debt, learn new skills, or escape the 9-to-5 grind, Nick is passionate about helping others achieve their goals through entrepreneurship.Pankaj “Sing” Singh – Mindful Leadership Guide and Strategist | Keynote Speaker | #1 International Bestselling Author | NRI Awards Winner 2023 
Pankaj Singh—”Sing”— is a visionary leader who’s spent over 20 years revolutionizing businesses and building high-performance teams. As a former C-suite executive, he’s driven double-digit growth, streamlined operations, and transformed organizations worldwide. But his real power comes from something unexpected: Mindfulness. Raised in an affluent family in India, Sing mastered classical music by age 13 but was restless. At 14, he was sent to train under a lama, where he first discovered the profound impact of mindfulness. Fast forward to 2020, His passion for mindful leadership was ignited during a high-pressure ransomware crisis early in his career. Faced with the overwhelming stress of guiding his team through uncharted territory, he turned to mindfulness to anchor himself. That pivotal experience revealed the transformative power of presence, empathy, and emotional intelligence in leadership—and it inspired his life’s mission to share these tools with others. Today, Sing is an advocate for redefining leadership in a fast-paced world. His signature framework, The Ascendancy Action™ System and Mindful Leadership Mastery Compass equip leaders to transcend stress, foster resilience, and cultivate authenticity. Whether inspiring audiences through keynote speeches, mentoring teams, or crafting leadership roadmaps, Sing’s vision is clear: to empower leaders to transform challenges into opportunities and lead with clarity, compassion, and purpose.

July 10, 2025 – Q10, #1 NYT Author Jim Murphy and Advanced Growth Strategies Michael Walsh

Jim Murphy – Performance Coach at Inner Excellence
Jim Murphy is a Performance Coach (mental skills) to the best professional athletes and leaders in the world. Jim played professional baseball in the Chicago Cubs organization, coached with the Texas Rangers as well as in the Olympic Games. For his Masters Degree in Coaching Science, he interviewed 39 MLB GM’s, field managers and coaches on how to build a championship team. Jim has coached some of the world’s best golfers including world champions, FedEx Cup champions and world #1’s. The majority of Jim’s clients in every sport, individuals or team, have the best year of their careers in their first year working with Jim (or best in the previous five years). In addition to coaching professional athletes and executives, Jim leads Inner Excellence offsite retreats at beautiful locations around the world. Jim is the president of the Inner Excellence Freedom Project whose mission is to build communities to alleviate spiritual and physical poverty around the world. Jim’s latest book Inner Excellence: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible Life (Revised Edition) was released May 1, 2020.Michael Walsh – President of Walsh Business Growth Institute and Author of Freedom by Design: The Established Business Owner’s Guide to Grow, Make an Impact, and Find the Joy Again
Michael Walsh is a seasoned business consultant and entrepreneur with an extensive background in business growth strategies and leadership development. He founded the Walsh Business Growth Institute in 1995, establishing it as an international consulting firm dedicated to empowering business owners across North America and Europe to achieve their growth objectives. With a clear mission to help individuals harness the potential of their businesses, Walsh understands that growth isn’t just about numbers; it’s about creating pathways to greater profit and enhanced personal and professional freedom. At the Walsh Business Growth Institute, Michael has guided numerous companies through significant growth milestones, whether they’re scaling from $20 million to $50 million in sales or breaking through the $2 million revenue mark. His strategic approach focuses on using business as a tool for personal achievement, ensuring that his clients reach their desired outcomes through tailored consulting and support. Michael Walsh’s educational foundation is rooted in business and economics, having pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Business from Asia Pacific International University. This advanced degree complements his earlier academic accomplishments, including a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Economics from the prestigious University of Toronto – New College. His educational background has equipped him with both theoretical knowledge and practical insights applicable in the fast-paced business world. With his extensive expertise in business growth, Michael has become a sought-after resource for companies looking to refine their corporate culture, develop effective managerial skills, and implement sound business growth strategies. His specialties in sales, marketing, hiring practices, advanced finance, and leadership development have positioned him as a thought leader in the industry. Throughout his career, Michael has achieved remarkable success in helping businesses elevate their performance and achieve sustainable growth. His commitment to fostering effective management practices has not only contributed to the success of his clients but has also allowed him to build a reputable consulting firm that stands out in the competitive landscape of business consulting. In addition to his role as President of the Walsh Business Growth Institute, he has served as a mentor and advisor to numerous entrepreneurs, enabling them to navigate the challenges of scaling their businesses successfully. As a thought leader, Michael Walsh is dedicated to sharing his insights and expertise with a broader audience. His professional network is invaluable, and he actively engages with peers and aspiring business owners alike, encouraging them to connect with him on platforms like LinkedIn and by direct email. Michael’s vision for continuous learning, exploration, and growth is evident in every aspect of his work, inspiring those around him to pursue their business aspirations vigorously.

July 9, 2025 – Former Kleiner Perkins VC Dave Whorton and Reclaim Sobriety Ken Cox

Dave Whorton – Founder of Tugboat Institute, Former Kleiner Perkins VC and Author of Another Way: Building Companies That Last…and Last…and Last
Dave Whorton is an experienced tech investor and founder who spent twenty years of his career at the highest levels of Silicon Valley venture capital and tech startups. At the preeminent tech venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins, he worked directly with chairman John Doerr for several years. He cofounded four companies, including Good Technology. In 2013 he founded the Tugboat Institute to connect, support, and inspire purpose-driven leaders of Evergreen businesses—those built to adapt and grow profitably for one hundred years and more. He considers Evergreen company leaders and their businesses to represent capitalism at its best. Dave is passionate about purpose-driven companies that prioritize long-term shared success and people-first values and practices. At sixteen, Dave began his first job at Hewlett-Packard, working alongside manufacturing line workers at three divisions over four summers. It wasn’t until later in his career that he would come to realize the profound influence of HP’s founders and their “HP Way,” which sparked his dedication to serving businesses like early HP. Early in his career he founded four companies including Good Technology and Drugstore.com and worked for stints at top venture capital and private equity firms, KPCB, TPG, and Interwest. During this time, he witnessed the VC industry pivot from a proven forty-year playbook of managing risk with staged, reasonable financing to something much more aggressive: Get-big-fast, which later evolved into growth-at-all-costs. The lack of any profit discipline and manic pressure to grow didn’t feel right to him after being on the other side of it with Good, but he didn’t perceive an alternative… yet, that is. A pivotal conversation opened his eyes to a different kind of founder – seasoned entrepreneurs who were building profitable, innovative, people-first businesses that were designed to last beyond their lifetimes as independent, thriving businesses with no plans for an exit or IPO. Dave set off on a journey of interviewing a number of these entrepreneurs, and later included non-founder CEOs —eventually over 300. He found that these companies were often underappreciated and underserved. In 2013, Dave founded the Tugboat Institute to support and connect these leaders, coining the term “Evergreen companies” to describe these businesses. Since that time, members and friends have urged Dave to write a book about discovering an important alternative to Silicon Valley’s model—namely, Evergreen companies. After five years working with his co-author Bo Burlingham, Dave captured his learning journey and the key principles of Evergreen companies in his book, Another Way: Building Companies That Last…and Last…and Last. Dave’s hope is that Another Way greatly increases awareness of Evergreen companies and their incredible importance to our communities and society—and inspires new founders to build their own Evergreen companies that endure for generations. Dave has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Berkeley and an MBA from Stanford. Dave enjoys spending time between innovative Silicon Valley and mindful Sun Valley, Idaho.Ken Cox – Co-Founder of Hostirian.com, Colocation and Web Hosting, Founder of InLink.com and Author of Reclaim Sobriety: 12 Rounds of Sobriety 
Ken Cox is an entrepreneur, author, and lifelong advocate for resilience. As the President of Rivercity Internet Group LLC and the Owner of BOX STL, Ken has spent decades helping businesses and individuals push beyond their perceived limits. His mission has always been about providing the infrastructure—both technical and personal—to empower others to grow. But Ken’s journey hasn’t always been smooth. He knows firsthand the struggles of addiction and the battle to reclaim one’s life. His personal experiences with sobriety have not only shaped his life but inspired his latest work, Reclaim Sobriety: 12 Rounds to Sobriety, where he shares his hard-earned lessons to help others navigate their own battles with substance abuse. The book recently hit #1 New Release in Teen & Young Adult Nonfiction on Substance Abuse, reaching a new audience that Ken is especially passionate about supporting. Ken is also the host of the Clicks and Bricks podcast, where he connects with entrepreneurs and thought leaders to explore the challenges and victories that come with building businesses and making an impact. He is deeply committed to fostering community and believes in the transformative power of sharing our stories. When he’s not building businesses or writing, you can find Ken coaching at BOX STL, where he helps young fighters learn the discipline, focus, and resilience that the sport of boxing provides. He firmly believes that boxing saved his life, and through it, he finds immense joy in mentoring the next generation. Ken is a proud father of two, and his passion for helping others extends to his family. He speaks openly about his experiences as the father of a neurodivergent son, an experience that has led him to embrace a life filled with patience, empathy, and gratitude. Above all, Ken Cox is someone who believes that our greatest strength lies in our willingness to face our struggles head-on, to keep imagining and believing in the possibility of a better future, and to help others do the same. His work—in business, in writing, and in coaching—is dedicated to empowering individuals to reclaim their lives and realize their potential.

July 7, 2025 – Building a Personal Brand Ben Heath, IBM’s Salima Lin and Gun Safety Josh Horowitz

Ben Heath – Paid Ads Expert | $150M+ in Managed Ad Spend
Ben Heath is one of the biggest names in the digital advertising industry, with the world’s largest Meta ads-focused YouTube channel and more than a million followers across his socials. Starting more than a decade ago, Ben has built one of the most sought-after social advertising agencies, with over 150 million dollars managed in ad spend, a 50+ person team, and thousands of clients all over the world. On weekends, Ben likes to enjoy his free time with his family, wife and two kids, dog and playing some football (soccer).Salima Lin – Managing Partner, Strategy, M&A, Transformation, and Thought Leadership at IBM Consulting
Salima Lin has more than 25 years of management consulting and leadership experience in developing and executing business and operating strategies, driving transformation, developing new business models and operationalizing process improvement. During her career, she has advised numerous Fortune 500 companies, primarily in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, diagnostics, medical devices, managed care, and healthcare delivery. Her experience spans strategy development in the Americas, with strategy and transformation across industries and domains for IBM’s consulting business globally. She has a master’s degree in health policy and administration from Harvard, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration and biology from Simon Fraser University.Joshua Horwitz – Dana Feitler Distinguished Professor of the Practice in Gun Violence Prevention and Advocacy; Co-Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions
Joshua Horwitz, JD, is the Dana Feitler professor of the practice in gun violence prevention and advocacy at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions. He works to reduce gun violence by utilizing public health research and health equity analysis to build advocacy campaigns that meet critical opportunities in the policy development process. With over 30 years of experience, Horwitz is a key leader in firearm policy development and education. He and a small group of colleagues developed the extreme risk protection order (ERPO) policy, which is now law in 21 states and the District of Columbia. As a result, he is now the principal investigator of the national Johns Hopkins ERPO Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University, a Department of Justice-funded training and technical assistance hub that provides support to states implementing extreme risk protection orders. Horwitz has also developed many policy translation reports, including the newly released “Alcohol Misuse and Gun Violence: An Evidence-Based Approach for State Policy” and the original report from the Consortium for Risk-Based Firearm Policy, “Guns, Public Health, and Mental Illness: An Evidence-Based Approach,” which identified ERPOs as a needed policy tool. He has also testified before numerous state legislatures and the US Congress. Horwitz is the co-author of Guns, Democracy and the Insurrectionist Idea, published by the University of Michigan Press in 2009. He received his BA from the University of Michigan in 1985 and his JD from The George Washington University in 1988.

July 4, 2025 – America Rocks

America Rocks!!
The idea that you can do things in your garage, you can do thingsin your basement, you can start a process, a business out of yourhouse, is loved in America. We love to see people do that.
This special show highlights 50 reasons why America is still the greatest entrepreneurial country on Earth!

July 2, 2025 – Homelessness to 9-figure Stephen Scoggins and Water Entrepreneur Kevin Gast

Stephen Scoggins – From homelessness to Serial 9-Figure Entrepreneur
From homelessness to serial 9-figure entrepreneur, Stephen Scoggins is a successful entrepreneur, sought-after world-renowned speaker, leading national life & business strategist, investor, and best-selling author. As the founder of Unstoppable Solutions by Scoggins International Inc, Stephen has created an easy-to-follow, proven system that allows entrepreneurs to go from inception to creating profitable empires. To add to his impressive credibility, he has founded six companies, exiting three of which have netted the largest profit for an undisclosed sum in 2023. Named by the USA Today and Wall Street Times as “one of the fastest growing and top entrepreneurs in 2023,” Stephen is also the host of the hit podcast show “Build,” which has over 48 million views, 120,000+ subscribers, countless downloads, and growing. With a proven track record of scaling businesses to industry leaders, Stephen has dedicated his LIFE to providing proven solutions to help entrepreneurs, leaders, and motivated individuals become UNSTOPPABLE in everything they do. Stephen has taught entrepreneurs, artists, C-Suite professionals, entertainers, and tenacious go-getters from all walks of life how to become relentlessly unstoppable.Kevin Gast – Co-Founder, CEO, & Chairman of VVater
Kevin Gast is the Co-Founder, CEO, & Chairman of VVater, a pioneering next-generation water treatment company dedicated to leveraging advanced technologies to address global water challenges across numerous industries. With over 20+ years of executive leadership experience, Kevin has managed cross-functional and international teams in more than 30 countries, bringing innovative solutions to sectors such as real estate, utilities, wastewater, oil & gas, food & beverage, defense, and beyond. Kevin has also held various executive positions in the pharmaceutical, hotel, and property development industries, expanding his expertise across multiple sectors. As the Chairman of another international conglomerate operating in construction, civil engineering, property development, hospitality, real estate, and pharmaceuticals—he was involved with thousands of projects spanning the globe, from mechanical engineering, geosynthetics, civil engineering, aquatic facilities and construction to industrial design. Kevin is an entrepreneur at heart, an avid investor, philanthropist, technologist, and futurist committed to providing humankind with sustainable and innovative solutions while delivering exceptional value to customers, partners, and investors. Kevin Gast, CEO of VVater (pronounced “Water”) is leading a breakthrough in water treatment technology that has just earned the CES 2025 Best of Innovation Award — one of the most prestigious honors in consumer technology. Kevin can share the journey behind this technology, how it’s addressing urgent global water challenges and the critical need for innovation in an industry facing a $630 billion overhaul. With a focus on sustainability and accessibility, Kevin offers a compelling perspective on the future of clean water solutions and VVater’s mission to deliver water for humankind.

July 1, 2025 – Cleaning Toilets to 4x Inc 5000 Ricardo Regalado and Masse Marketing SEO Nile Frater

Ricardo Regalado – CEO/Founder of Route & Rozalado, Crain’s 40 under 40, Google for Startups 22, Morgan Stanley IVL 24, Inc 5000 4X
Ricardo Regalado, proud owner of Rozalado services. A family owned Facility services company based out of Chicago that is a single source solution for Facility service needs in the commercial sector. He is also Co-owner of RCM. He is also Founder/CEO of Route, a technology software/app that is a solution for the commercial cleaning and field service industry. Route is an Ecosystem of tech enabled tools and a marketplace where Cleaning business owners can build and grow their business as well as connect with their fellow cleaning community. Lastly I am also the founder and Host of Cleaning & Cocktails a podcast and live events brand for the cleaning industry that has an audience across 50 countries in the world. Ricardo started in the commercial cleaning industry 12 years ago and built the Rozalado brand 10 years ago with his wife, dad, cousin and family. I learned a ton performing all the cleaning myself for the first 4-5 years of the business, I wore every hat and learned every department which gave us a competitive advantage early on. Fast forward to today, Rozalado has over 600 direct employees, 22 which are family and 70 Affiliate partners with additional 400 team members, 6 companies, operates in 35+ states, offers over 20 services and has made the Inc 5000 Fastest growing companies 4 years in a row – 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022. Recently just made the Chicago Crain’s 40 under 40 prestigious class of 2021 as well as the Negocios Now Latino 40 under 40. Route was also the proud recipient of Google’s 1st Latino Tech founders cohort 2022. Route was just recently selected to the prestigious Morgan Stanley Inclusive ventures lab in New York.Nile Frater – Founder of Masse Marketing
Nile Frater is the founder of Masse, an innovative SEO agency that specializes in high-scale content campaigns for cutting-edge tech companies at Series A, B, C, and beyond. In just 12 months, Masse has grown from $0 to over $1.5 million in ARR, leveraging a unique human-AI hybrid approach to SEO. Nile’s journey in the tech world began with NoCode.Tech, a hub for the no-code movement that was acquired by A16z-backed Stacker in 2022. With a background in engineering and coding, Nile has consistently pushed the boundaries of SEO, focusing on delivering tangible business results for startups and tech companies. Before founding Masse, Nile held a senior position at Lloyds Banking Group in the UK, where he led various innovative projects, including recruiting 250 engineers and designers in a year and navigating the insurance division through the COVID-19 lockdowns. He also runs Concrete Capital, a micro PE fund that acquires small content and educational websites. Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, Nile now resides in Andorra and continues to be at the forefront of SEO and AI, helping startups scale quickly and efficiently.

June 30, 2025 - E&Y Winner & IPO Quang Pham and Thought Leadership Expert Rhea Wessel

Quang Pham – Founder and CEO of Cadrenal Therapeutics and Author of Underdog Nation: Zero In On Effort And Results For Success
Quang Pham – Founder and CEO of Cadrenal Therapeutics and Author of Underdog Nation: Zero In On Effort And Results For Success. Quang X. Pham is a biotech executive, war veteran, author, speaker and community leader with a remarkable journey shaped by resilience, service, and entrepreneurship. He made history as the first Vietnamese American to earn naval aviator’s wings in the Marine Corps and lead an initial public offering (IPO) on Nasdaq. His inspiring American underdog journey, told in first person, is unlike any other. Born in Saigon, South Vietnam, Quang and his family fled as refugees when he was 10, while his father, a Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilot, remained and was imprisoned for more than a decade. After earning a degree from UCLA, Quang served seven years on active duty, flying CH-46 helicopters in the Persian Gulf War, Somalia and in the Reserves. Following his military career, Quang transitioned into business, founding multiple pharmaceutical companies. In 2000, he launched MyDrugRep.com (which became Lathian Systems), an innovative online platform for physician marketing engagements, which was later acquired. In 2015, he founded Espero Pharmaceuticals and Jacksonville Pharmaceuticals. His leadership and entrepreneurial success earned him the Florida EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2018. Today Quang serves as Chairman and CEO, Cadrenal Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CVKD). Quang is also the author of the award-winning father-son memoir, A Sense of Duty: Our Journey from Vietnam (Penguin Random House, 2005). Committed to giving back, Quang has served on the boards of private companies, veteran charities and educational organizations. He lives Florida with his family, continuing to lead and inspire.Rhea Wessel – Writer and Founder at the The Institute for Thought Leadership and Author of Write Like a Thought Leader: How to Find a Constant Stream of Story Ideas to Position Yourself As the Go-To Expert in Your Niche
Rhea Wessel is an American writer and thought-leadership strategist who helps people grow their business by creating and publishing thought leadership. She advises and trains on ideation, messaging, AI writing and how to find and articulate your best ideas. As a journalist, she wrote thousands of stories on hundreds of topics and was published in outlets like the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and BBC. As a writer for companies, she has penned and edited thousands more stories across 30 industries. Rhea founded and leads The Institute for Thought Leadership, a B2B training and consulting company that helps clients take their ideas to scale with thought-leadership publishing, research and programs. She is a columnist for Forbes.com about thought leadership in organizations.