The Pursuit of Purpose

Jonathan Laufer shares his journey from immigrating to the United States and studying law to building a career in technology, where he spent 17 years as an engineer at Apple before becoming Chief Technology Officer of Smart Surface Robotics. Drawing from his experiences in entrepreneurship, product development, and leadership, he discusses the importance of seizing opportunities, embracing career pivots, living below your means, investing for the future, and building consistent routines that lead to long-term success. Jonathan encourages students to take calculated risks, seek mentorship, remain adaptable, and make decisions today that will create freedom and opportunity for their future.

Chris Harper shares his journey from doing hands-on construction work as a kid to becoming a principal structural engineer at Schaefer, highlighting how curiosity, mentorship, and a willingness to chase bigger challenges shaped his career. He discusses the weight of responsibility that comes with structural engineering, learning from high-pressure moments on major projects like the Cardinals stadium, and building a firm culture centered on growth and trust rather than just the bottom line. Chris encourages students and young professionals to master the fundamentals before leaning on tools like AI, stay open to unexpected career turns, and remember that technical excellence and genuine leadership are what carry a career forward.

Chris McShanag is an entrepreneur, business leader, and founder of Virtual Teammate, a global remote staffing company that helps healthcare organizations improve efficiency and reduce administrative burdens. Originally from Australia, Chris combines his background in consulting, technology, and healthcare with a passion for servant leadership, focusing on creating value for clients while providing meaningful opportunities for team members around the world. Driven by a desire to leave a lasting legacy, he is committed to helping healthcare professionals thrive, supporting families globally, and encouraging others to pursue their passions with purpose and courage.

Jasmine Bhatti is a nurse, entrepreneur, and founder of Navi Nurses, an Arizona-based healthcare company that provides personalized in-home nursing care. Jasmine transitioned from bedside nursing to entrepreneurship with a mission to improve patient outcomes and reduce nurse burnout. As a healthcare innovator and advocate for women in business, she is passionate about servant leadership, creating meaningful change in healthcare, and empowering others to pursue solutions to the problems they experience.

Allen White shares his journey from overcoming addiction and personal adversity to becoming the president and owner of West Phoenix WinSupply, revealing how faith, humility, and servant leadership transformed both his life and career. He discusses the importance of building a people-first culture, embracing mentorship, taking action despite uncertainty, and leading with love in both business and family. Allen encourages young people to ask questions, serve others, develop intentional daily habits, and trust that purpose is found by faithfully pursuing what is in front of them.

Chris Grogan serves as CEO of El Dorado Holdings, one of Arizona's most influential real estate development companies. A lifelong Arizona resident, Chris has spent his career building relationships, creating opportunities, and helping shape communities across the Valley.

Carl McFarland is the President of Big-D Construction and a visionary leader with more than 28 years of experience in the construction industry. Throughout the conversation, he shared how his journey from an architectural engineering student to leading one of Arizona’s fastest-growing construction companies was shaped by mentorship, personal growth, and a commitment to putting people first.

Roland Bertaud is a French entrepreneur and immigrant who spent nearly two decades working across Europe and internationally before finally settling in Arizona to pursue his dream of building a life in the United States. After careers in aerospace engineering and business ownership abroad, he acquired and rebuilt Copper State Classic Cars in Phoenix, growing it into a multi-location company driven by hard work, opportunity, and a strong commitment to family and helping others grow alongside his business.

Wes Nee is a values-driven investment and philanthropy leader whose work focuses on creating long-term community impact through strategic capital deployment, education support, and sustainable partnerships. Drawing from his background in coaching, mentorship, and business, he emphasizes character, curiosity, alignment, and relationship-building as the foundation for both effective leadership and successful investing.

Noah is the president of Capital Fund One, a leading private real estate lending firm he helped launch in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Starting in land development before the market downturn, he pivoted into lending and has since helped grow the company into a large-scale operation, funding billions in loans with a focus on steady returns and disciplined underwriting. Beyond business, he emphasizes leadership through integrity, consistent effort, and giving back, using his platform to mentor others and invest in community impact.