Leaders Of Tomorrow Podcast

What separates good leaders from truly exceptional ones? In this episode of Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson sits down with Quinton Carroll and Angela Lister, two standout senior coaches in the Student Works Management Program, to uncover the lessons that transformed them from top-performing operators into influential mentors.

Quinton and Angela discuss the pivotal moments that shaped their leadership journeys, from stepping outside their comfort zones to pushing their limits as entrepreneurs. They reveal how the program helped them develop the confidence, resilience, and skills to guide others toward success. Whether you're looking to level up in business, leadership, or personal growth, this episode is packed with insights that will challenge you to think bigger and achieve more. Listen now and enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• How mentorship accelerates personal and professional growth
• Why stepping outside your comfort zone builds long-term confidence
• The importance of embracing challenges to unlock your full potential
• What makes the Student Works program a transformative experience
• How coaching others sharpens leadership and communication skills
• And much more...

Resources:

Student Works 

What does it take to turn adversity into success and build companies that make a positive impact on the world? In this inspiring episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson sits down with Payam Zamani, entrepreneur, investor, author, and proud alumnus of the Student Works Management Program.

Payam shares his extraordinary journey from escaping religious persecution in Iran at 16 to co-founding AutoWeb, the first online car marketplace, which went public with a $1.2 billion IPO. He reflects on how his experience with Student Works was a transformative "boot camp" for entrepreneurship, teaching him critical lessons in goal setting, accountability, and execution. Payam also discusses his current role as the founder and CEO of One Planet Group, where he is committed to blending business success with a higher purpose through “spiritual capitalism”.

This episode offers invaluable insights into resilience, leadership, and how aligning business goals with personal values leads to long-term fulfillment. Enjoy!

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• How Payam’s experience with the Student Works program helped him become the successful entrepreneur he is today
• Why viewing challenges as opportunities is key to entrepreneurial success
• How aligning business with a higher purpose leads to meaningful impact and personal fulfillment
• The importance of leadership rooted in accountability and strategic execution
• How spiritual capitalism can merge profit and purpose to improve the world
• And much more…

Resources:

Student Works 

Payam’s Linkedin

AutoWeb.com

How do you go from a disorganized student to a thriving director in mergers and acquisitions? In this episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris Thomson speaks with Will Malouf, an inspiring alumnus of the Student Works Management program. 

Will shares his journey from running a Student Works franchise to becoming a Director at Valsoft, one of the most prominent players in the software acquisition space. His story demonstrates how the skills learned in the program—organization, communication, and leadership—translate into incredible professional success.

Will reflects on the lessons he learned at Student Works, including the importance of building rapport, planning ahead, and managing emotions in high-stakes situations. He shares how these skills gave him a competitive edge in his career and helped him scale new heights in the mergers and acquisitions industry. This episode is packed with insights on how foundational habits, mentorship, and hard work can shape your future. Enjoy!

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• How the Student Works program shaped Will’s approach to business and leadership
• Why planning and organization are critical for professional growth
• The emotional side of mergers and acquisitions—and how to handle it
• How communication and rapport-building can elevate your career
• The importance of focusing on solving real problems in business
• And much more…

Resources:

Student Works

Connect with Will on LinkedIn

How can one summer completely change your career and life trajectory? In this episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris Thomson speaks with Tarik Ali, a successful alumnus of the Student Works Management Program and a standout leader at Accenture. 

Tarik shares how his time in the program gave him the courage to take risks, develop trust-centric relationships, and reimagine his career path—all lessons that continue to shape his professional success today.

Tarik dives into his journey from being a high-achieving, risk-averse student to thriving as a consultant and coach at Accenture. He discusses the importance of mentorship, how to embrace calculated risks, and why focusing on others’ needs leads to long-term success. 

Through personal stories and reflections, Tarik reveals how the Student Works experience was the foundation for his evolution into a leader dedicated to solving problems and empowering others. Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• How one summer at Student Works reshaped Tarik’s perspective on career and risk-taking
• Why building trust and client-centricity are crucial skills for any leader
• The value of stepping outside traditional career paths to discover personal purpose
• How mentorship and coaching can unlock new levels of growth and clarity
• The importance of balancing ambition with wellness to achieve sustainable success
• And much more…

Resources:

Student Works

Tarik’s LinkedIn

In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris is joined by Guy Metcalfe, former Managing Director and Global Chairman of Morgan Stanley, and now a board member for many boards including CBRE Group Inc

During the conversation, Chris and Guy explore the art of building a thriving and cohesive team, highlighting how authentic leadership and a well-nurtured culture drive success. You'll discover the value of leading by example and fostering a sense of community through shared experiences and open communication. 

Guy offers reflections on how challenges, including stress, can be harnessed as catalysts for growth and achievement. By sharing personal anecdotes, he illustrates the importance of maintaining perspective, managing stress, and balancing ambition with self-care. 

With actionable advice and heartfelt stories, this episode will inspire those striving for excellence to embrace challenges as opportunities, cultivate trust within their teams, and recognize the profound impact of meaningful relationships on long-term success.

Don't miss another episode of The Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How early career experiences shape long-term success and the foundational lessons learned from managing responsibilities as a young leader.  
• The importance of building trust, fostering strong relationships, and leading by example to create a positive team culture.  
• The value of embracing challenges and stress as motivators, along with practical strategies for stress management, including writing down worries and prioritizing self-care.  
• Why building a business with a focus on quality, trust, and consistency can enable you to charge a premium for your services and grow your reputation.
• And so much more…

Resources:

Guy's LinkedIn

Student Works

What does it take to grow from a student unsure of their future to a leader in business and entrepreneurship? On this episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris Thomson reconnects with Chris O’Rourke, a remarkable alumnus of the Student Works Management Program, to discuss his inspiring journey. 

Chris reflects on how the skills and network he built during his time in the program shaped his career, from managing $300,000 projects as a student to leading high-growth companies in multiple industries.

Chris dives into the pivotal moments that defined his path, including his decision to embrace challenging opportunities and his relentless focus on leadership, team building, and strategy. He shares actionable insights on the importance of mentorship, avoiding complacency, and creating innovative solutions for emerging market needs. This episode is packed with lessons for anyone looking to scale their impact and lead with purpose. Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• How the Student Works Management Program builds essential skills for leadership and success
• Why networking and mentorship can open doors to life-changing opportunities
• The mindset and work ethic required to thrive as an entrepreneur
• Strategies for staying ahead by focusing on innovation and emerging market needs
• The key habits that define great leaders and problem-solvers
• And much more…

Resources:

Student Works

Connect with Chris O'Rourke on LinkedIn

077 | Chris O’Rourke | How to Discover and Find Success in Emerging Markets

How do life’s toughest lessons shape the leaders of tomorrow? On this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast, host Chris Thomson interviews Bruce Hodges, an accomplished entrepreneur, global leader, and proud alumnus of the Student Works Management Program. Bruce shares his incredible journey, starting from running a student franchise to becoming a CEO with extensive international experience. Along the way, he faced extraordinary challenges, including personal financial setbacks, and ultimately turned those lessons into fuel for building a mission-driven business, Parachute, aimed at disrupting predatory lending practices.

Bruce reflects on the critical skills he developed during his Student Works days, such as sales, team management, and embracing discomfort to grow as a leader. He discusses the power of taking risks, seizing opportunities, and staying grounded in a strong sense of purpose. From insights into financial literacy to the importance of living a values-driven life, Bruce offers a wealth of advice for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs. 

Whether you're a Student Works participant, alumni, or simply looking to sharpen your leadership edge, this episode is packed with inspiring stories and actionable lessons to elevate your career and life. Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Be “appropriately worried about failing” to find the balance between caution and action
• If an opportunity isn’t perfect, ask yourself, “What would have to be true to make this great?” and work to create those conditions
• Surround yourself with leaders who believe in you
• Growth happens when you step out of your comfort zone; embrace the challenges and adventures life presents
• Building good habits early and understanding the power of financial literacy can have a transformative impact on your future
• True wealth isn’t about appearances; it’s about aligning your values and actions with what truly matters
• And much more…

Resources:

Student Works

Bruce’s LinkedIn

Myparachute.co 

Books:

Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy

How Will You Measure Your Life?

The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It

In today's episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris talks to Zak Lefevre, co-founder and CEO at ChargeLab, a company that builds OCPP-Compliant software for managing EV charging stations. They are the back-end software behind North America's leading EV fleets, charging networks, and charging sites.

Zak’s entrepreneurial journey started with Student Works back in 2011 and, like most of our alumni, he believes that this experience played a big role in his professional and personal development.

You will learn a little bit about Zak’s background and who he was before joining our program.

Zak will share the best part about Student Works and the invaluable lessons he took with him from this experience.

He will also talk about the first business he ever started when he was very young.

You will find out what made Zak interested in electric vehicles, how he started ChargeLab and he will also share some of his early ideas about how to make money with this company.

Zak will also talk about the importance of not getting too greedy, why you should learn as much as you can about the business before you start anything, the most important qualities the leader of tomorrow should have and so much more.

Listen now and enjoy another fascinating discussion with one of our amazing alumni!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The best part about Student Works and the invaluable lessons Zak took with him
• What made Zak interested in electric vehicles and how did he start ChargeLab?
• Why you should learn as much as you can about the business before you start anything
• The most important qualities the leader of tomorrow should have
• And so much more...

Resources:

Student Works

Chargelab.co

How can mastering sales transform your career and elevate your business? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson sits down with Mark Cox, one of our alumni, founder of In The Funnel (ITF) Sales Coaching , and a seasoned sales expert with over 25 years of experience. 

Mark shares his incredible journey from being a top operator in the Student Works Management Program to leading a consulting firm that has helped over 70 companies achieve double-digit growth. He unpacks the lessons he learned along the way, providing valuable insights into how understanding sales at a deep level can create massive opportunities in both entrepreneurship and the corporate world.

Mark dives into the fundamental principles that drive sales success, such as the importance of mindset, skillset, and toolset. He discusses how preparation and planning can help salespeople perform authentically in the moment, creating meaningful conversations that lead to results. 

With a focus on real-life examples, Mark talks about the necessity of stepping out of your comfort zone to grow, the power of perseverance, and how surrounding yourself with the right people can fuel long-term success.

Listeners will gain practical advice on how to build a strong foundation in sales, why sales is a critical skill for anyone in business, and how lessons from Student Works apply to achieving success at the highest levels. Whether you’re just starting out in sales or looking to refine your approach, this episode offers valuable takeaways for building a high-performance mindset and reaching your goals. Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• The value of stepping outside your comfort zone to foster personal and professional growth
• Why preparation is key to seizing opportunities and driving success
• The critical role of sales in both entrepreneurship and the corporate world
• Lessons learned from Student Works and how they apply to high-level corporate sales
• The importance of mindset, skillset, and toolset in becoming a successful salesperson
• How planning and preparation can free you up to have authentic, meaningful sales conversations
• And much more…

Resources:

Student Works

017 | Mark Cox | How to Become a Sales Champion

Mark’s LinkedIn

What does it take to transform from a young person with a bit of ego to a powerful, inspiring leader? On this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris speaks with Andrew Solomon, an exceptional young leader who has been through Student Works as both a top operator and a coach, and now runs an $8 million division of Rydel Roofing. 

Andrew shares how his experiences at Student Works shifted his focus from himself to the people around him—and how that change fueled his success.Andrew discusses the value of integrity, accountability, and how showing up with consistency has been crucial in his journey from a young operator to a thriving business leader. 

Listeners will hear how Andrew made critical personal and professional transformations, dealt with major setbacks, and ultimately built a high-performing business by putting his people first.

Curious about the importance of “leading yourself first” or how a personal vision can empower a whole team to achieve beyond expectations? Andrew reveals the mindset and actions needed to create not just a successful business but also a life full of purpose and fulfillment. Listen now and enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• A leader’s main role is to create hope and a vision for a better future
• Success comes from putting people first, not focusing on your own ego
• The importance of integrity and how it affects leadership in both business and personal life
• How the right mindset can turn failures into stepping stones for growth
• The challenges and triumphs of transitioning from Student Works to a larger-scale business
• The value of focusing on trajectory over current position for long-term success
• Personal practices that can improve leadership effectiveness
• And much more…

Resources:

Student Works