Tools & Inspiration to help you unlock your Potential

My Speaking Clients Include:

Practical Tools to Help You and Your Team Grow

I fled a civil war in Ethiopia as a child and spent three years in a refugee camp before being resettled in the US. Language barriers, financial struggles, and personal tragedy created obstacle after obstacle.

With the help of educators, mentors, and practical tools, I gained confidence and eventually earned a scholarship to Harvard, where I gave the commencement address to 30,000 people at my own graduation.

For 25 years, I’ve dedicated my life to helping others unlock their potential—just as tools helped me grow. I’ve spoken to over 1 million people and written 12 books with over one million copies sold.

I founded Mawi Learning, growing it into a pioneering EdTech company that delivered online leadership courses to millions of students. After winning the CODiE award for innovation and achieving the highest CASEL efficacy designation, I navigated the successful acquisition of Mawi Learning by ACT in 2019.

Today, I write the newsletter Find Your Sunlight, where I share practical frameworks for managing energy, building resilience, and growing personally and professionally.

I believe that business can be a powerful force for good in the world. In addition to investing, I serve as a strategic advisor to a select group of founders navigating their own growth and exits. I have an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and continue to speak to organizations worldwide—focusing on depth and impact over volume.

My passion has always been helping people grow. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker, strategic guidance, or tools in your inbox, I invite you to join the movement: