Ross O’Rourke didn’t set out to run a company. Like many in national security, he followed the openings in front of him and said yes to things he wasn’t sure he could pull off. The technical work came first. The leadership came later, once he could see where both the mission and the market were going.

On this episode of “Rookies to Rockstars,” hosts Amanda Ziadeh and Camille Tuutti talk with O’Rourke about building Crimson Phoenix, what it actually takes to scale a mission-driven company and how he leads in today’s national security environment.

He shares lessons from pivotal career moments, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and how he approaches risk, innovation and culture. O’Rourke also reflects on the mentors and experiences that shaped his leadership style, and why staying grounded in purpose continues to guide his decisions.

From early-career uncertainty to leading a growing organization, O’Rourke’s story is a reminder that success isn’t always linear, but it is intentional.